As many tenants will tell you to your face that they do not have a cat or dog, and then try to sneak them in...What about the following idea: Ad text say "pet friendly" Seems people are more likely to reveal pet ownership that if you say "no dogs/cats allowed."

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.

I also think you are parroting some things you've read in books or heard at seminars that rarely, in reality, work out.

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.