You can (and should) make them pay full security deposit, any pet fees (but probably no pet rent, unless you are under the Sec 8 rent) and do full credit and background checks (there will be debt, maybe collections, but you can screen some criminal, depending on where you are, and evictions -- again, depending on where you are).Let's say you are charging $800. 3 times is $2400/month.

I often allow pets and have had some great tenants with pets, but have occasionally been left with smelly apartments.

Cops have also been inside the house and have witnessed signs of extremely unsanitary conditions: pet waste/urine around the house, you get the picture..

(This is an added perk, because I get time with my dog and prospective applicants tend to tell me all about their pets.)If you have a friend of colleague who can travel with you, that's great.

One random thing: If you are going to charge a "pet deposit", call it a "non-refundable pet fee" and not a pet deposit.

Hi BP Nation,OK I have a 1 bedroom apartment for rent and I currently allow tenants to have 1 pet for an additional $25 pet rent.  

We have had a $50/month pet fee in place for her dog since day one.  

I don't like pets because of risk of damage.

Both units are in the same complex where the HOA has a VERY strict "No Pet Policy".

The bank has a senior first mortgage in the $260k range, and I would have to pay $15k minimum at auction to get the property.Per a real estate agent that tried to help the owner sell the property previously, she has allowed her pets to run rampant and damage the cabinets and pee on the floors of the unit (this is a 2bed/2bath townhome).