Things To Consider When Allowing Pets on Rentals

If you have ever owned a pet, you understand the love and joy they can bring to life. My dog certainly brings a lot of love and happiness to my family! But as a landlord, allowing pets on your property can create worries and challenges that make you question whether it is worth the risk. In this article, we will look at pros and cons of allowing pets on your property and assess some precautions you can put in place if you do.

If you are reading this post, you probably have some apprehension about allowing pets on your property. There certainly are concerns to consider. Here are a few:

• Property damage. Dogs and cats are popular pets, but both can cause damage to your property. Primary concerns include scratching surfaces, chewing on things like walls or cords, and having accidents on floors. Any of these issues could lead to costly repairs or cleanup.
• Unsightly landscaping. When nature calls, you want dogs to do their business outside rather than in your property. Unfortunately, dog urine can kill grass and excrement is an eyesore (and smelly!) if not cleaned up.
• Irritation to other tenants. Even the biggest dog lover can be irritated by the sounds of other dogs barking, running, or playing. As mentioned above, pet excrement left in public places is a source of irritation. You may also want to consider what would happen if a tenant with a pet allergy had an allergic reaction to a pet in close proximity to their unit or the leftover dander of a pet that previously lived in their unit.
• Injury caused by pets. Possibly the greatest concern is if a pet injures another tenant or a tenant’s pet. 

While a fair number of concerns exist when deciding whether to allow pets on your property, also consider these potential benefits:

• More applicants. Many people own pets, so allowing them may deepen your pool of potential tenants.
• Responsible tenants. As a dog owner, I quickly learned that dogs require a lot of responsibility! Your pet-owning tenants have likely learned this as well, which could suggest that they would be responsible tenants. And the more responsible they are, the more likely they are to be good tenants you will want to keep around.
• Longer leases and higher rents. Many people have pets, but there can be a short supply of properties that rent to people with pets. Allowing pets on your property may increase demand for your properties and could allow you to charge higher rent. It might also lead to longer leases if people want to avoid finding another place that would take their pets. 
• Decreased likelihood of unknown animals. If you allow pets, it is less likely that people will sneak them on premises. This will give you more insight about what is going on at your property.

Regardless of your decision regarding pets, it would be wise to consult a lawyer to create a pet addendum to include in all your leases. This addendum should clearly state your rules regarding pets on premises and penalties for violating the rules. Keep in mind that you need to comply with Fair Housing Laws. You may also want to require your tenants to carry renters insurance, which we offer here at Acuity. 

If you choose to allow pets, you may want to restrict dog breeds, size, or the number of pets allowed. You may also want to consider a screening process for tenants with pets so you can meet the tenant and pet together. This could help you learn more about the animal and how the owner interacts with it.

Do you allow pets on your property? What rules and procedures do you have in place regarding pets?

Sources:

• https://www.zillow.com/rental-manager/resources/pets-in-rentals/
• https://www.mysmartmove.com/SmartMove/blog/allowing-pets-in-rental-properties.page
• https://www.thebalancesmb.com/should-you-make-your-property-pet-friendly-2125005
• https://www.landlordology.com/how-to-rent-to-tenants-with-pets/
• https://www.thebalancesmb.com/what-to-include-in-your-pet-policy-2125015