Maintenance for tenants with dogs

[Pete Woelfel]

I have a number of units (SFH and duplex) where the tenants have dogs. This is allowed in their lease and they pay extra for them so I like that they have them. The problem I run into is with maintenance. Most of these tenants have normal 8-5 jobs and so the dogs are home alone during the day. The problem I'm running into is when maintenance is needed. Most of the handymen/repair companies in my area are standard rates 8-5 and will do night/weekend calls but only for an extra fee.

My question is for others that allow tenants to have dogs - how do you handle this when you need to send someone else over to the property, especially if the tenant isn't home?  These are nice dogs, but I feel like sending a stranger that the dog has never met over there, with potentially loud equipment is a recipe for disaster.  Anyone have methods they've used successfully to deal with this?

Thanks in advance!

[Cassi Justiz]

I don't send people to the house unless the tenant is home. When a repair or maintenance item is needed, I have the repair person coordinate a time to meet the tenant there. I tell everyone at lease signing that we won't do any repairs or maintenance without the tenant being home. I let them know that while we try to hire the best contractors possible, this is their home as long as they are living there and I do not want to send someone into their home without them there. I have not had an issue where the tenant wasn't able or willing to find someone to meet the repair person at the house during business hours. 

It's even more well received when you remind them that this is to protect their stuff, privacy and ultimately their pets as well.