How many pets..

Question

Considering a potential tenant for renting SFR 3/1. Only problem is they have 5 pets (2 dogs under 40lbs and one small ~13lbs plus two cats). The property has a huge fenced in backyard and that could be big draw for tenants having pets. My PM charges $200 per dog and $100 per cat as non refundable fee along with pet addendum that list out all the pets breed/weight and clauses for damages done by them has to be paid by them or deducted from security deposit at the end of the lease term. I prefer to have max two pets.

what would someone do in the situation, would you go ahead with the prospective tenant or not? How many pets do you normally allow in your units? Do you think non refundable fee above would be enough to cover turnover expenses caused by pets.

Any experiences to share.

Kaycee Miller · Answer

More than 70% of renters have pets, so you are smart to consider marketing your property as pet friendly to widen your potential tenant pool. But most renters will not have 5 pets-that seems a little extreme. Are there other reasons that make this applicant super qualified? If not, I would suggest that you keep looking and stick to your 2 pet max rule. 2 pets will cause less wear and tear on your property and reduce turnover time if your renter vacates. Good luck !

Al Williamson · Answer

Hi @Mayank S.Great question. In general you should consider pets to be money makers.I would lower the one-time fee and charge a monthly "rent" per pet. Say $20 per pet per month.But your question is how much is too much. You can answer that by doing a home inspection of the place they are moving from. This should be a part of your routine screening but it's especially important to do a home visit when pets are involved.Don't take the departing landlord's word for it.If you are unable to do a home inspection, I would turn the applicant down.

Thomas S. · Answer

Two cats is 2 too many for any rental property. Limit your dogs to max two if you are going to allow dogs but even with two dogs you must visit their present residence to confirm. Pet owners can be desperate as most landlords do not rent to pet owners. They know damage deposits can fall thousands short of covering damage and dogs create a liability issue. Considering how desperate pet owners are I would not charge less than $50/month/pet with a max 2 dogs, no cats allowed.

Jason Hartley · Answer

Added deposit + monthly fee per pet (state laws allowing). I like to do $25 per pet per month, so that's an added $125/m to you to handle the added wear on the property.

Mayank S. · Answer

Thanks for your inputs @Kaycee Wegener, @Al Williamson, @Mike Wood. I am not very comfortable having 5 pets at the first place just my PM is asking my opinion. She had good experience on other properties with pets and claims one of the property she manages has 2 big size and 2 medium size dogs and that neighbors can barely tell that they are there. The potential tenant has not submitted her rent application yet, just called in to check with PM and in turn she wanted to check with me if I am OK with the pet policy. SO at this point no idea if applicant is super qualified on other things. I had turnover with other units with pets (2) and it wasn't that bad. Tenant paid all the damages through security deposit so my experience has been good so far however I am not sure what to expect with 5, it is little more than I can handle or like to have...probably I will pass and wait for other applications to turn in.

Mike Wood · Answer

@Mayank S. I only allow one pet per apartment, with a $250 non-refundable pet fee. Given that your place is likely small as its a 3/1, there is no way I would consider that many pets. To me, it sounds like the potential tenant is an animal hoarder.Do I think that the pet fee covers the turnover expenses as a landlord? Not personally. But by allowing pets in my units, I dramatically increase my potential tenant pool, so for me its worth the risk. But I would never allow five pets in one unit, regardless of the size of the unit.

Mayank S. · Answer

Thanks @Jason Hartley and Thomas S. I have asked my PM to pass and wait for other applications to turn in. Can't handle so many pets plus a nuisance/liability to neighbors in the quiet community. Thanks all for your inputs.

Stephen E. · Answer

Five pets is three too many in my view. I would not allow more than two if at all possible. Assume that pets are going to leave some damage of some kind. Five pets is five times as much as a renter with just one pet. The probabilities of damage are such that you are letting yourself in for potential losses if you allow these people in. If they want that many pets they need a house on an acreage, not a rental property.