Pet Logic

[Megan Aldridge]

I'm trying to sort out the pros/cons behind charging pet rent ($15-25/month) vs. a one-time non-refundable pet deposit ($250).  I have not had tenants with pets in the past, so I'm not sure which way I want to go on this.  Also, I have no idea how much damage pet can do as I have no pets myself, so are these pet rates enough?

[Michele Fischer]

I would charge a monthly fee and a refundable deposit.  Don't label the deposit pet or anything else, it should all be one big deposit you can use on any damage/loss.

My logic for the fee is that I prefer to have a pet free house.  So the incremental rent helps get me excited about accepting pets.  The deposit helps offset the risk of the damage they might do.

Some pets can eat/scratch/damage doors and moldings, but the biggest thing I see is destroyed carpet.  Always hold off as long as you can to refund the deposit.  We've had carpet seem fine, but the longer it sits the more it smells, and when we pull it up the carpet and pad are full of urine.

You don't need to be accommodating.  I know pets are an important part of our society, but renters with pets are limiting their housing options.  That's on them, not you.  Approach it as a business decision.  Can you attract different/better/more tenants by allowing pets.

If you accept pets, insist on meeting the pets first, photograph them so there isn't a switcharoo later, and include plenty of language in the agreement about your expectations.