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Updated over 5 years ago on . Most recent reply

Should I allow Pets ( 1Dog & 1 Cat) in my Rental Property
Hi,
I am screening for new tenants, Most of the enquires are with Pets.
should I allow Pets ( 1Dog & 1 Cat) in my Rental Property?
(potential tenant live across the street, with one small dog and one Cat).
I am fine with small dog, Any one have experience with cats in the property? please share.
I am not against pets, but want to keep the unit clean as much as for feature tenants turn over.
Most Popular Reply

- Real Estate Broker
- Cody, WY
- 41,132
- Votes |
- 28,112
- Posts
Yes, you should allow them. My reasons:
1. Depending on your market 50% - 70% of applicants will have a pet. If you reject pets outright, you cut down the number of potential renters.
2. Most pet owners are willing to pay a higher rate to find a pet-friendly property.
3. Because pet-friendly rentals are harder to find, tenants tend to stay longer once they find a good one.
Cat urine is very difficult to get rid of. Sometimes the carpet will look brand new but the odor is overwhelming and you'll have to replace the carpet, the pad, and possibly even seal the subfloor. One cat, poorly raised, can destroy a house. Fortunately, my screening has limited my exposure to that.
Some breeds of dogs are dangerous. Some dig. Some scratch doors or bark incessantly. You have to screen them, determine the risk, and then find a way to mitigate the risk.
No dogs under one year old. No kittens. No breeding.
Have policies in place for violations (barking, not poop scooping, etc.) and address them quickly.
Charge an increase to the rent. $50 a month is $600 a year and non-refundable whereas a deposit increase has to go back to them if there is no damage. I charge $50 per month per animal and some tenants have multiple animals that don't cause any damage. It's a good income stream.
- Nathan Gesner
