For many, pets are more than just animals we have and own. Nowadays, people consider them a significant part of their lives, to a point that they call them family. With the rapid growth of pet ownership in the US, landlords need to address rental property pet policies to both attract tenants and protect their investment.
But what does it exactly mean to be pet friendly? And how can landlords and property owners still protect themselves under these conditions? To help you create the “ideal” rental property for pet owners, we’ll provide you with a comprehensive review of common rental property pet policies. More than that, we’ll highlight the advantages and disadvantages of these policies and why they are important for both landlords and tenants.
3 Key Takeaways
- Rental pet policies help establish clear rules and guidelines for responsible pet ownership. It also sets the expectations between parties for transparency and accountability.
- Pet-friendly rental properties are attractive to potential tenants and existing ones at the same time. They are high in demand and typically experience less vacancies.
- Allowing pets in rental properties has its advantages and disadvantages that landlords need to be aware of.
Why Pet Policies Matter in Rental Properties
As a property manager in Austin, we can see firsthand that more and more tenants’ own pets. In fact, a recent survey of 1,000 renters found that 90% of renters are looking for apartments that are pet friendly. However, being “pet-friendly” is easier said than done because there’s a lot more involved in allowing tenants to house pets in your rental. This is where rental property pet policies come to play.
Pet policies are indicated in the rental lease agreement that outlines the specific rules and guidelines about pet ownership. It’s essential as it sets the expectations between you and your tenants when allowing pets on your rental property. For example, your pet policy would indicate the acceptable types of pets your tenants could and could not have. Typically, domesticated animals are allowed, but exotic pets are up to your discretion.
The purpose of a rental property pet policy is to protect you from liability. As part of a legal lease agreement, the listed rules and guidelines help protect you against any conflict or disagreement with a tenant. Say that they want to argue that they are allowed to have an exotic snake since it’s a pet friendly rental, however your pet policy specifically states that exotic pets are not allowed. By having a clear-cut policy that the tenant agreed to from the start, the landlord has the upper hand should any disputes arise.
What to Include in a Rental Pet Policy
It is important for landlords and property owners to create a comprehensive rental pet policy. Doing so helps in avoiding misunderstandings and establish clear rules for your tenants to follow. With that, here are some of the key points that you should include in your pet policy:
- Pet Fees and Deposits - This indicates the amount that your tenant would have to add to their basic rent payment. This section should also indicate the purpose and coverage of each fee along with what is or is not refundable.
- Allowed Pet Type and Size - Pets come in different shapes and sizes. As the landlord, you have the prerogative to restrict the type and size of pets allowed in your rental unit to account for damage and general wear and tear.
- Number of Pets - Similarly, landlords can also set a limit as to how many pets are allowed for each unit. This could depend on the type of pet (a limit of 2 for dogs and 3 for cats), and the size of the pets as well.
- Pet Registration - Asking tenants to complete a detailed information sheet on their pets helps ensure that the policy on the number, type, and size are diligently followed and enforced.
- Waste Disposal and Management: To maintain cleanliness in your rental property, you can set guidelines on where pet owners are allowed to let their pets go, as well as rules on proper waste cleanup and disposal.
- Pet Vaccination: To avoid liability from contagious animal diseases, you can require your tenants to provide copies of all up-to-date health and vaccination records.
- Require Renters Insurance: Renters insurance is a low-cost and great way for tenants and landlords to have added protection against general liability and potential damage from pets in the home.
Pros and Cons of Allowing Pets in Your Rental
We’ve established that the purpose of a pet policy is to protect landlords from liability and to set tenant responsibilities. Now, let’s talk about the advantages and disadvantages of having a pet friendly rental property. With this, you would be able to decide if it’s worth it to accommodate pet owners or not.
Let’s start with the advantages:
One of the biggest benefits of pet-friendly rental properties is that they significantly expand your tenant pool, while also lowering competition. You open your doors and attract pet owners, who are always on the lookout for pet-friendly rentals that are difficult to come by. You also benefit from its high demand, which can help in avoiding long vacancies.
In relation to vacancies, another common advantage of pet-friendly rentals is the higher potential for long-term leases. Since rental properties that allow pets are relatively few, pet owners are more likely to stay in their current rental space to avoid going through the trouble of finding another pet-friendly rental. Lastly, a key benefit of pet-friendly rentals is that you can set higher rent prices. Aside from the pet rent fee, you can also ask for additional deposits to account for added wear and tear on the unit.
On the flipside, there are some drawbacks to being a pet friendly rental property:
One is the potential damage that pets could cause in your unit. But more than scratched floors and chewed furniture, there’s also the risk of danger in terms of pets fighting with each other, or worse, biting incidents involving another tenant or the public.
Another disadvantage of allowing tenants to have pets is potential noise complaints, especially in multi-family properties. Think of dogs barking uncontrollably, or cats fighting in the middle of the night. These are things that are hard to control and can cause unbearable disturbance to other tenants in your rental property.
Similarly, another potential nuisance is pet waste and odor. You have to rely on your tenants to properly dispose of pet waste and follow rules on designated relief areas.
How to Enforce Pet Policies Legally and Fairly
Given the care and value that pet owners place on their fur babies, enforcing pet policies legally and fairly can be a bit tricky. Some policies, such as the limit on the number of pets allowed per unit, may seem too harsh or restrictive for some people. So, what can you as a landlord do to be as fair as possible?
First, be clear and concise. Make sure to be detailed and informative when drafting the pet policies for your rental property. For example, specify the types of pets allowed to avoid any disputes with potential tenants. Also, make sure to explain every rule and regulation to potential tenants for mutual understanding.
When it comes to rules and regulations, it is critical to implement them consistently. However, be wary of Fair Housing Laws that prohibit discrimination against individuals with a service animal. When in doubt, contact a qualified attorney in your area for legal guidance and advice on enforcing pet policies on rental properties.
Address Property Management Concerns Effectively
As the number of pet owners increase across the country, landlords need to adjust to accommodate this growing market and stay competitive. Pet-friendly rental properties are always in demand and highly attractive, meaning they draw in more tenants and experience fewer turnovers. Now, having a comprehensive rental property pet policies is the first step to accommodating pet owners while also safeguarding yourself and your investment. It establishes the essential rules, regulations, and guidelines to create a positive environment for tenants, their pets, and the property owners as well.
Navigating rental property pet policies can be confusing. There is a lot to consider, such as determining the allowable number of pets to listing specific rules and regulations for pet owners to follow. It’s a time-consuming process that not all landlords are ready to handle. If that’s the case, we at Stone Oak Property Management are ready to help you. With more than two decades in property management, we can assist you in tenant screening, application processing, and more. Connect with us to learn more about our services and get started today!
