Advertised as no pets but a solid applicant has a dog....?

[Jason Krawitz]

Good evening! After declining my last applicant due to a bankruptcy 4 years ago, being 2 months behind on a car she just purchased in June, and wanting to rent my home sight-unseen on an extended lease, I had another applicant today. This one fully qualifies financially, is very responsible and professional, is middle-aged and makes 8k per month gross, and has glowing reviews from prior landlords. The only problem is that she has a DOG and I have advertised as no pets.

 I've had 12 inquiries on my property since listing it 1 month ago (we moved out 2 weeks ago). I've shown it to 3 of them. 2 of the 3 I've shown it to chose another property. 1 of them because my house was too small and they have 3 kids. The other because my kitchen is too small for them. I declined the 3rd.  The other 9 all have pets and want me to make an exception. Until now, I've not even considered pets. However, I decided to test the waters. This applicant loves my home and let me visit her current residence where she and her dog have lived for a year. She didn't know I was going to ask and we drove straight from my property to her house. She didn't have advance notice to make it look better than usual. Her house doesn't smell weird, was pretty clean (not as clean as my personal residence but my wife if Monk-like), and her dog is cool. It's a black lab about 50 pounds. I called her current landlord on my way home and he gave glowing reviews. Said she always pays early and wishes she wasn't moving out.

Here is my question. My property has oak hardwood floors in the front half and carpet in the back half. How much additional wear would you expect? I noticed in the applicants current residence that the hardwood floors are scratched up a bit. What else should I factor in as I decide whether to accept this applicant?

[Steve S.]

Where I live it's much easier to find tenants when you allow pets. I would definitely contact her prior landlord , as stated earlier , current owner might want her out. BTW why is she moving? Accepting pets is accepting risk. It's a gamble , but you have already done much of your due diligence! Great job on visiting her home! If you accept her, I would talk to her about your concerns with the wood floor. Just be honest . I think keeping a good relationship with tenants is a great way to mitigate risk. And of course , take a non refundable pet deposit.