Renting dilemma

[Greg Jastrzab]

Hi everyone, I finished rehab on my new rental (recently purchased a new 2 family house) and interviewed a young couple today with a small boy (2 years old self disclosed) and I really liked them; however, of course they mentioned they have a medium dog, a boxer in this case. Both individuals work, one as a restaurant manager in a known place around here, and the wife works in a local hospital. Apartment is 2nd floor of owner occupied house newly refinished and has commercial gray carpet besides kitchen and bathroom. My question is, if interview went well, credit checks out along with employment, would you use the dog as a deal breaker? They offered to work a clause in the lease to pay for any damage to the carpet specifically (cost $1k to install) and offered additional security (not allowed in NJ as far as I can tell).

Advice is badly needed! Rent is $1200 for my place.

Thanks!

[Aaron Mazzrillo]

I'll take a tenant with a dog. I realize their options are limited so I expect they will stay a long time and it has worked out well for me. There are lots of dogs I won't take. Not sure on the Boxer. I'd have to see it. I typically am not interested in anything I can't punt over a fence if it comes after me, chihuahua's being the preferred launching size.

*Full disclosure: I have never punted a dog and don't condone cruelty to animals.