For apartment dwellers and condominium owners, pets can pose special problems. Many landlords and management companies bar pets or have unclear policies regarding pets. Some living arrangements allow fish and birds but ban cats and dogs. In some cases, only large dogs are banned. After the famous San Francisco dog mauling incident, vicious or certain breeds of dogs might also be prohibited.

It's a good idea to check the lease or condo association rules before moving into a building or buying a condo in order to avoid any surprises. Some buildings may have regulations regarding fish, ferrets, birds, small reptiles or other types of pets.

With so many pet owners around, landlords or condo associations may be willing to change policies that automatically reject pets if both parties are prepared to discuss some of the issues.

To get Fido in the door, a letter of reference from a previous landlord might prove helpful. Obviously, making sure the pet is spayed or neutered and has all its shots, including rabies and distemper, will score points. The pet should be licensed as well. Giving the name of the pet's veterinarian as a reference may also be appropriate.

One of the primary concerns landlords have is about whether the cat or dog is housebroken. The landlord is more likely to consider a pet if the tenant is willing to pay a refundable pet deposit to cover any damage that may occur.

While it is arguable that the presence of a dog reduces the risk of break-ins and that a barking dog might frighten an intruder, a barking dog could also pose a problem to nearby tenants or neighbors. That's why there are sometimes size restrictions where small dogs are acceptable but larger dogs are not. If the pet is a puppy that will grow into a larger dog, it's a good idea to get permission to keep the pet when it's full-grown.

Of course, if a tenant or condo owner needs the services of a guide dog, the Fair Housing Act overrides any pet restrictions for those with disabilities. Association or apartment rules and policies cannot supersede existing laws at the local and state level either.

The Humane Society of the United States offers tips for pet owners, as well as a list of recommended policies for condominiums and apartment buildings on its website, located at www.hsus.org. Included are sample letters of reference from a landlord and veterinarian, a sample résumé for a pet and a list of resources to help find pet-friendly housing.

Finding a home for a pet isn't impossible, but it does require a little homework and possibly a bit of compromise. Just be sure to read the fine print and understand the requirements before making a move.

Information provided in this column is presented by the Realtor members of the Silicon Valley Association of Realtors at www.silvar.org. Send questions on any topic to jnewton@jnpr.com.