Current tenants want a pet

[Bryan Korf]

My current tenants have approached me to ask if the could have a pet. My current lease with them states "No pets". They are GREAT tenants that pay the rent early every month and take very good care of the house. Their lease is up for renewal in 5 months and I would like for them to sign another lease with me. I am surprised they are asking me before they just brought the dog there because most of the posts I have read makes it sound like tenants that are honest about this are very rare. It would be an outside dog, so I am considering having them sign a pet addendum and letting them have the dog without collecting an additional pet deposit. I plan on taking current pictures showing the current condition of the property and drafting into the addendum that they are liable for any damage caused by the pet. Will this addendum be enough to go back on if things do go bad and there is damage?

[MIchael Rickerd]

I'm tempted to mimic others and tell you to just say no, but maybe not.

It would depend on the situation to me. If the addendum was well written and agreed to, about type of dog, etc. and the house was 'hardened' enough to handle a dog, you may benefit from the additional cashflow (I would charge a deposit that at the very least covered a professional carpet cleaning from a highly ranked cleaner and extra rent money every month).

To me, tenants are like employees. When I asked to have the capabilities to stand while I work everyday, my employers were very enthusiastic and supportive of the idea. Purchased me all sorts of standing desk add-ons and stuff like that. It left a very positive impression on me.

The same could be said for your tenants. If I had a couple who was always paying early, didn't harass me with calls/texts about stupid things, and didn't trash my property I would want to keep them! They sound like fantastic tenants! You allowing them to have a dog may make them want to stay in your property for years. Remember, you aren't in the hotel business. Give your tenants an incentive to stay, and you may be rewarded by decreased turnover and less hassle.