How do we feel about fish?

[William Kulow]

So I currently do not allow pets in my rental, but one of my tenants asked me about a fish and was just curious about how landlords felt about it. I feel like it can be costly on utilities but the tenants are responsible for water and electricity anyways. Other things to consider? Thank you in advance.

[Richard F.]

Aloha,

Poorly maintained tanks, and especially tanks in an environment that creates excessive condensation on the exterior of the tank, often drip onto the floor, damaging floorcoverings and underlying typical subfloors or hardwood flooring. Also some types of fish are very active and splash significantly. We don't allow anything more than a small goldfish bowl. There is a big difference between a kid's goldfish, and a multiple Oscars thrashing about.

[Bjorn Ahlblad]

I have kept a ton of fish and the external pumps can leak. I have always been on top of things. But a tenant? Basement floor OK. Second floor no way!

[Rose Jones]

For me - the ability to keep a pet has been make or break for me as to whether I am going to rent a home or not. I would have a conversation with the tenant to see if they know what they are doing, allow for inspections and impress upon them that if anything does link I want a call asap.

And of course - charge a pet rent.

[Nathan Gesner]

Over 50% of all renters have a pet. Instead of cutting your market in half, I recommend finding ways to allow pets while reducing risk and increasing income.

I allow fish tanks up to 20 gallons (275 pounds). 

The biggest danger is a leaking tank that causes water damage, but it hasn't happened to me yet. If a fish tank is in an upstairs apartment, a leak would cause damage to the downstairs apartment and double your repair costs (or more).

[Marcela Hoag]

Quote from @Nathan Gesner:

Over 50% of all renters have a pet. Instead of cutting your market in half, I recommend finding ways to allow pets while reducing risk and increasing income.

I allow fish tanks up to 20 gallons (275 pounds). 

The biggest danger is a leaking tank that causes water damage, but it hasn't happened to me yet. If a fish tank is in an upstairs apartment, a leak would cause damage to the downstairs apartment and double your repair costs (or more).

 Hi Nathan,

How have you successfully mitigated risk? Super curious, because my husband and I are always dealing with tenants with pets and the associated headaches, haha.

[Scott Mac]

No water beds, no fish tanks.

Just my 2 cents.

[Nathan Gesner]

Quote from @Marcela Hoag:

Start with a cost:benefit analysis. In my experience, over half of all renters have a pet. I don't want to lose that market! Second, I have experience with hundreds of pet owners and it is very rare (in my market) for pets to cause more damage than the deposit will cover. 

I accept them and mitigate the risk by (a) screening the animals, (b) having a solid set of rules that are quickly and fairly enforced, (c) regular inspections, especially for cat units, and (d) charging a monthly pet fee.

Let's say I have five single-family homes. Each one has a dog for $50 a month. That's an extra $250 per month or $3,000 per year. A tenant moves out and leaves $4,000 in damages. I apply their security deposit first ($1,500) and then charge them for the remaining $2,500 owed. They may pay what is owed, or I may have to send them to collections and get it the hard way. Even if they don't pay, I'm still ahead because I collected $3,000 in fees that year.

Again, in my experience, I have had hundreds of pet owners and only a few of them have caused damages beyond what a deposit will cover, so I have earned tens of thousands in exra income for my owners.

[Eric Gerakos]

I allow fish as long as they are quiet and well behaved.

[Doug Smith]

As long as they are leashed, I see no issue with allowing fish. 

[Kadia Lawrence]

Quote from @Nathan Gesner:

Quote from @Marcela Hoag:

Start with a cost:benefit analysis. In my experience, over half of all renters have a pet. I don't want to lose that market! Second, I have experience with hundreds of pet owners and it is very rare (in my market) for pets to cause more damage than the deposit will cover. 

I accept them and mitigate the risk by (a) screening the animals, (b) having a solid set of rules that are quickly and fairly enforced, (c) regular inspections, especially for cat units, and (d) charging a monthly pet fee.

Let's say I have five single-family homes. Each one has a dog for $50 a month. That's an extra $250 per month or $3,000 per year. A tenant moves out and leaves $4,000 in damages. I apply their security deposit first ($1,500) and then charge them for the remaining $2,500 owed. They may pay what is owed, or I may have to send them to collections and get it the hard way. Even if they don't pay, I'm still ahead because I collected $3,000 in fees that year.

Again, in my experience, I have had hundreds of pet owners and only a few of them have caused damages beyond what a deposit will cover, so I have earned tens of thousands in exra income for my owners.

@Nathan Gesner: 

Would you charge non-refundable pet fee and ongoing pet rent for a fish, especially if it's a small tank, say 6 gallons?

[Nathan Gesner]

Quote from @Kadia Lawrence:

You can. I allow fish tanks up to 20 gallons and charge $30 a month. I also charge $30 a month for lizards, spiders, snakes, hamsters, or any other small animal in a cage or container.

[Kadia Lawrence]

Quote from @Nathan Gesner:

Quote from @Kadia Lawrence:

You can. I allow fish tanks up to 10 gallons and charge $25 a month. I also charge $25 a month for lizards, spiders, snakes, hamsters, or any other small animal in a cage or container.

 Thanks very much Nathan!  So you don't do upfront fees or deposits but instead additonal rent.  Have you had any pushback on that, especially for small fish tanks/ bowls?

[Nathan Gesner]

Quote from @Kadia Lawrence:

Deposits are refundable. I always charge fees for animals so it's money in my pocket.

I occasionally waive the fee for a fish tank, depending on the quality of renter. A 19-year-old working at McDonalds? I'm charging. A 60-year-old woman with great credit, rental history, and 20 years at the same job? I'll waive the monthly fee.

[Lynn McGeein]

@William Kulow the first time you walk in an abandoned unit where they left the fish tank, you will never allow fish again.

[Kadia Lawrence]

Quote from @Nathan Gesner:

Quote from @Kadia Lawrence:

Deposits are refundable. I always charge fees for animals so it's money in my pocket.

I occasionally waive the fee for a fish tank, depending on the quality of renter. A 19-year-old working at McDonalds? I'm charging. A 60-year-old woman with great credit, rental history, and 20 years at the same job? I'll waive the monthly fee.

 Thank you!!

[Rose Jones]

Quote from @Bjorn Ahlblad:

I have kept a ton of fish and the external pumps can leak. I have always been on top of things. But a tenant? Basement floor OK. Second floor no way!

 Smart - I would have never thought of that!

[Nathan Gesner]

Quote from @Rose Jones:

The #1 problem with fish tanks is that they leak and cause damage to the floor or walls. If they are in an upstairs apartment and leak, the damage can extend to the downstairs unit. We don't allow them in upstairs units for this very reason.

The second issue I've dealt with is odor. Poorly maintained tanks can create quite an odor, but it's not hard to clear once the tenant is gone.

[Adam Bartomeo]

Its a big mistake that many owners make, not allowing pets. It takes 10 minutes to get a ESA and then you have to let them in. Why not allow pets and charge them? 

BTW we do not charge for small tanks. Big tanks are like water beds if they bust.

[Sarah Brown]

What kind of fish tank?  Are you taking a 100 gal, or a 5 gal?   I would probably put a cap on the size of the tank.  I'm a pet person.  Many people are pet people.  I find it easier to work with people and let them know the boundaries they have to operate in with their pets than to simply say no.