Pets and Smokers allowed or not pros and cons

[Dan Tanner]

I'm new to the rental business.  How do you all handle pets and smokers?  Allow or Not?  If not, how do you ensure rules are abided by?  What would be the penalties if you found they weren't abiding by the rules?  If you do allow, how does that work?  Do you specify what pets are allowed?  Won't an inside smoker really mess up the place for future non-smokers?  Any advice and guidance on this issue would be greatly appreciated.

[John Underwood]

I prefer tenants with pets. I make my houses pet friendly. I get a non refundable  pet fee. I don't charge pet rent. That seems silly to me.

Tenants with pets stay longer and seem to be more responsible people.

Humans tear up houses not pets, at least that is my experience.