How to say "No" to a pet request

[Marcin G.]

Hi BiggerPockets Friends!

I am about to say "No" to a tenant in response to a request for having a cat in the room. Would you recommend the best way to do so?

Of course, the lease does not allow to have pets.

However, it is more complicated ... I owe and manage a student rental property, and when COVID hit the college went into online learning mode, so finding new tenants is almost impossible. Therefore, in July, I allowed one of the new tenants to get a cat. She got two cats (of course), and now another tenant is asking to keep a cat in the room. I really want to say "No", so any help would be appreciated.

Have a great day everyone!

[Alex Uman]

You're in a situation where you've already allowed for a deviation from the lease in one instance. Your tenants now realize they can get pets with no recourse. If you try and put your foot down and say no to pets after already allowing a tenant to get a pet, they may see right through it and simply get a pet regardless. Think of it from the tenants lens: "What are they going to do? Evict me and lose my rent?"

I would consider charging a non refundable pet deposit/a cleaning fee of some sort for all tenants who get pets. That way the expectation is set with your tenants that they may get pets if they pay the price. Then you aren't put into a situation where you get nothing out of it. The building I live in has strict standards about which type of pets tenants may have and charges such a deposit/cleaning fee. It seems to have worked for them so far. Good luck!