No Pets - But, should I reconsider?

Question

Hello! My husband and I posted our first rental property (single-family home) yesterday and decided to NOT allow pets. I received a reply from someone asking if I'd consider. My immediate thought was no. We are being very diligent with our screening and background checks and are not wavering from our minimum requirements. However, part of me is wondering if we should reconsider this. I know we can add to the deposit (whether refundable or not) and charge a small pet rent. My only worry is that, if we don't allow pets, we'll lessen the renters pool.

Additionally, after doing some digging, I found that the prospect is in real estate. Silly, but I worry that by allowing pets on a case-by-case basis without adding that to the listing will be discrimination.

I'm welcoming all thoughts :)

Additionally, after doing some digging, I found that the prospect is in real estate. Silly, but I worry that by allowing pets on a case-by-case basis without adding that to the listing will be discrimination.

I'm welcoming all thoughts :)

Greg M. · Answer

Pet owners aren't a protected class, so you can discriminate against them all you want. I personally think it is crazy to exclude over half of the customer pool because a pet may do damage. Allow pets, increase the rent and security deposit and you should do fine.

If you say no pets, someone will just move in and then claim their pet is an Emotional Support Animal and you can't do anything about it then.

Adam Martin · Answer

I actually prefer people who have dogs and install fences to encourage them.  I charge a refundable deposit of 600 so they are incentivized to keep up with the place to try to get it back.  It is also just an addition to the security deposit with no mention due to the dog so it can be used for other things and my lease states if you break the lease early you forfeit the deposit.  There is an additional pet rent of 35/dog and no one has complained yet.  Now cats are another story and I do not allow them under any circumstances.  I am biased since I’m allergic but for most houses you can smell them from the moment you step in and getting the smell out is far more expensive than most dog damage.

Zachary Ray · Answer

You should charge a non-refundable fee and a monthly fee to add to the rent to counter any damages that might occur.  Some tenants will sneak in pets on you any ways so its best to get the monies up front to battle any potential damages that could occur.

Patric Sepulveda · Answer

If you can't meet your tenants to screen, have your property manager meet your tenants with their pets. Ask them to display some varying levels of obedience training. I would recommend going to petco and petsmart (simply because they are everywhere) and find out when the dog training sessions are. Meet the trainer, and work a list of simple obedience commands that the tenants MUST be able to perform for you or your property manager. Also ask those dog trainers what some warning signs should be of destructive or aggressive behavior.

For exotic animals, I would take it case by case. I typically would never consider a caged animal (reptiles, turtles, etc) to be categorized as a pet, at least in leasing, however bigger birds for example can be very destructive.

Matt Ziegler · Answer

Marissa,

By allowing pets you increase the potential pool of tenants.

We allow (with limitations, no vicious breeds) pets.

Get a non refundable "pet Deposit" and charge monthly "pet rent, or just increase the base rent amount.

Pet lovers don't bat an eye at these charges and they tend to stay longer in my  experience.

Account Closed · Answer

Exactly what @Greg M. said -I'd allow pets and raise the costs for the tenant. Most tenants will be more than willing to pay, and it will help keep you out of potentially sticky situations (like Greg mentioned about emotional support animals).

Jon Shoop · Answer

@Marissa Gulla I think you've gotten some solid advice here! A couple things I think about to justify allowing tenants to have dogs is:

• - Our commercial insurance policy does not allow what they deem as "dangerous" breeds. So that limits a lot of the larger dogs that people own. 
• 
• - Allowing dogs greatly increases the number of people who are applicable for your home - so your home will get rented faster. 
• 
• - Allowing dogs will be a revenue generator - you can charge a per pet fee as well as a refundable or non-refundable pet deposit. We charge a non-refundable pet deposit because... dogs are inextricably going to cause more wear and tear on a home and possibly (most likely) leave behind some hidden damage that may not come about until after the tenants have completed their lease term. Even the most well trained dogs can have accidents or spill food or water on your flooring. 
•  
• - Even if you don't collect a refundable or non-refundable pet deposit (which you should always collect!), your tenants deposit will be able to go towards any repairs or cleaning that they and their dog is responsible for. So they're still on the hook for any and all damages.
• 
• -  Tenants may still bring their dog into the home even if your lease explicitly states "no pets". So let's face it, it's better to mitigate that risk, make some extra revenue, and have a higher deposit amount available for damages.

Hope this all helps!

Megan Elliott · Answer

I allow pets and haven't had any issues.  There was actually a great article written on the subject that was super helpful.  *Disclaimer - I am a huge pet lover so maybe a bit biased :)

https://www.petfinder.com/dogs...

Cordell Martin · Answer

Aside from prohibiting the dangerous breeds as per insurance, limiting dog size to 25 lbs (or whatever arbitrary number you choose) as worked well for us.  Good luck!

Jonathan Greene · Answer

I always allow pets, but I have to meet them. I especially like to focus on people with a big dog because they will pay about $100 over ask per month for a rental because it is near impossible for them to find a rental. If you know dogs, you can tell right away which ones will be noisy or ruin things (at least best guess) and dogs are fantastic security for your properties and your tenants. You have to watch out for barkers, biters, and poopers, but you do your best. I much prefer a big dog to cats because some owners treat their dogs like children and their cats like an aloof step-aunt.

No Pets - But, should I reconsider?

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