You did make sure to have them get renter's insurance to reduce your liability if someone slips and falls inside the property, a pet bites or knocks down someone and they are injured?

The second floor apartment was larger, but kept very messy; i.e. pet hair everywhere, spilled food, and the very heavy scent of unwashed clothing/bedding and cat spray (the tenants had 3+ cats in there).

In my area, renting SFRs, not allowing pets would cut my pool of prospective tenants by probably 2/3rds, but not allowing smoking cuts it by maybe 10%.  

Another real cost is holding costs while not being paid and damages to the property--and by damages I don't just mean retaliation, I mean deferred maintainence, pet damages and crazy decorating choices which is what I mean in 3) above...losing control.Also, an owner held mortgage, even seasoned, is not very liquid and if interest rates go up, even less so.  

Scratches will show & if a person had pets that's bound to happen.

Angela, we do not do inspections prior to move in, but if we need to shuttle paperwork, have pets to meet, or they need extra attention, we always offer to meet at their current home so we can be a bit snoopy.  

For example, you place the ad and start getting calls and I always ask these questions:- When are you moving- Do you have any pets coming with you- Do you make 3X the rent and have verifiable rental historyYou will weed most out at that point if they do not match your rental criteria.  

I have never met the actual tenant.This is what I have from the broker that is assisting with my tenant placement for this property.Background check results: none foundCredit: No credit score, no debtEvictions: NoneIdentity: Confirmed, valid SS#Income: VerifiedNo pets, only one occupant

Pet Fee.

I also allow pets and charge extra for dogs.