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Pet-Friendly Rentals in Budapest: How to Find One and What to Discuss with the Landlord
How can you find an apartment in Budapest that allows dogs or cats? What should you discuss with the landlord, what should you include in the lease, and what do you need to know if you’re bringing your pet from abroad?
How Can You Find a Pet-Friendly Apartment?
- Look for the “pet-friendly” label in the ads, and in your first message, describe your pet: species, breed, size, and age.
- Don't keep it a secret. The landlord is free to decide in the lease agreement whether to allow pets and under what conditions, so failing to disclose this information may constitute a breach of contract.
- Put together a brief profile of your pet: vaccination record, microchip number, photo, and, if available, a reference from a previous landlord. This will go a long way toward getting approved.
What should you discuss with the landlord, and what should you include in the lease?
Which animal? How many?
Please describe exactly which animal you're talking about. If another animal arrives later, we'll need to discuss it again.
Security Deposit
It is common for landlords to require a higher security deposit because of a pet. According to the Civil Code, if the security deposit agreed upon exceeds three times the monthly rent, the tenant may ask the court to reduce the excessive amount (Civil Code § 6:343). It’s worth keeping this in mind even if a separate “pet deposit” is requested.
Damage and Cleanup
Scratches, odors, flooring: Discuss what can be deducted from the security deposit and what counts as normal wear and tear. When you move in, take photos of the condition of the apartment.
Condominium Rules
House rules or the rules of procedure may, for example, limit the number of pets (in one case, the Supreme Court upheld a numerical limit per apartment, such as one dog and one cat), but they cannot require prior permission from the community. In practice, tenants must also comply with these rules, so be sure to request a copy of the house rules before signing the lease.
Neighbors, noise
The animal must be kept in such a way that it does not cause persistent and unjustified disturbance to its surroundings (a fundamental principle of Government Decree No. 41/2010 on Pet Animals). Barking, dogs left alone, balconies: these are common sources of conflict, so it’s worth clarifying them in advance.
This is what the law requires for dogs
- Microchipping is mandatory for dogs over 4 months of age; the veterinarian registers the microchip in the national database (PetVetData).
- When you move, you must report the change of address to your veterinarian and have it updated in the database within 8 days. This is something that’s easily forgotten when you move to a new rental property.
- Rabies vaccination is mandatory for dogs every year and is recommended for cats.
EU or non-EU: Does it matter?
The tenant's nationality does not matter when it comes to the rules for keeping pets. What matters is where you bring the pet from.
From an EU country
- Pet passport (for dogs, cats, and ferrets), microchip, and rabies vaccination.
- At the time of vaccination, the animal must be at least 12 weeks old, and you must wait at least 21 days after vaccination before traveling.
From outside the EU
- An EU animal health certificate issued no more than 10 days prior to entry, a microchip, and a rabies vaccination.
- For certain countries, an antibody test is also required, followed by a wait of several months. This must be planned months in advance.
- Entry is permitted only at designated entry points, and each traveler may bring a maximum of 5 small pets.
In such cases, the landlord is entitled to request copies of vaccination certificates and the pet's passport.
Important Information
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or veterinary advice. Regulations are subject to change, particularly import requirements: check the Nébih website before traveling.