You'll find plenty of pet owners among your potential tenants, so opening your rental to pets can really boost your chances of finding great tenants. Just remember, setting clear pet policies is important to keep everyone happy. Learn about the rules you should include in your pet agreement and what each of them means.
Key Highlights
- Allowing pets in rental properties can attract more tenants, but landlords must create clear pet policies to prevent issues.
- Pet approval and screening should cover details like type, breed, size, health records, and behavior, with the option to use professional screening services.
- Landlords may set restrictions on certain breeds, exotic animals, size limits, and the number of pets allowed to ensure safety and protect property.
- Pet agreements should outline deposits, fees, or pet rent, along with rules on supervision, noise control, and designated pet areas.
- Tenants remain responsible for property damage caused by pets, and while service animals cannot be denied, they are still subject to certain conditions under the lease.
Pet Approval and Screening
While allowing pets can be beneficial to your rental business, it is essential to establish certain limits on what you permit. Collect details about the pet, such as its type, breed, age, weight, vaccination records, behavior, friendliness, and other attributes that could affect the property and your tenants.
Pets that misbehave, for instance, can lead to tenant complaints and damage to the property. Conducting an interview with the pet owner allows you to assess their fur friend in person, and you may discover things that can't be seen in written details alone. If you want a more thorough screening, consider hiring a pet screening service to conduct it for you.
Pet Health Requirements
Even if the pet owner appears responsible, it is essential to outline the health requirements in the pet agreement, including up-to-date vaccinations, proof of flea and tick prevention, and other preventive measures for the animal.
If you have a multi-unit apartment, this is a requirement you can't skip. You must ensure that the other pets in your rental remain safe and healthy, and pet owners will rest easy knowing that this requirement is included in the pet agreement.
Restrictions
Landlords have the right to specify which dog breeds are not allowed in the property, along with other animal types. You can even set weight or size limits, since larger breeds can cause more damage. The most common breeds that other landlords restrict include:
- Pit Bull Terriers
- Rottweilers
- German Shepherds
- Dobermans
- Great Danes
- Akitas
- English Mastiffs
You can also prohibit exotic animals like snakes, large birds, or any non-traditional pets that may cause discomfort among other tenants. These may be necessary, given that some insurance companies do not provide coverage to some properties that allow certain breeds.
It would also benefit you to set clear limitations for the number of pets allowed within the premises of the dwelling. You can set different limitations for each animal type or size. With cats, for example, you can allow more than one. With dogs, especially medium breeds, one would be enough.
Pet Deposit and Fees
While a security deposit can also cover costs for damages caused by pets, it's better to have another source of funds for pet-related incidents. This should be clearly outlined in the pet agreement, including the pet security deposit amount, as well as what it can be used for.
In Nashville, a landlord may include pet rent in the lease agreement. Pet owners usually pay the fee just for the convenience of a pet-friendly rental property. Discuss these lease terms with the potential tenant during the rental application so they'll know what to expect in the agreement.
Supervision and Noise Rules
The lease agreement should already include rules about excessive noise, as well as quiet hours that tenants are expected to follow. However, you should include a specific rule in the pet agreement regarding continuous pet noises, such as barking or howling, as this can disrupt the peace in the rental property and its neighbors.
Furthermore, a pet agreement must also specify which areas are allowed for pets, along with the consequences for violating these lease terms. Pet owners expect reasonable accommodation, so you must explain the reasons why these landlord conditions are being set within shared premises.
Property Damage and Liability
If no pet fees are collected, the pet agreement should list what the tenant will be responsible for when the damage is caused by their pets. Damages can come in the form of scratches on the wall and floor, chewed furniture, and urine stains.
The lease agreement should clearly state their responsibilities, as well as what won't be covered by the pet fee. Excessive damage to the building may be costly enough that the pet deposit won't be able to cover it all.
Legal Considerations
Regardless of your specific circumstances, tenants are permitted to keep service animals under the law. They are still bound by certain terms in the pet agreement, such as payment for damages, among others. Service or assistance animals are also subject to area restrictions.
Pet Policies FAQs
When should I discuss my pet policies with a potential tenant?
- You should do so during the application process, as they may choose not to rent your property if certain practices are not allowed.
Can I restrict certain dog breeds from my rental property?
- Yes, but it does not apply to service animals. As for why you should restrict particular dog breeds, some may be harder to control than others. You and your tenants will rest easier when you avoid a problem before it starts.
How much can I charge for pet fees?
- You can either charge a one-time pet fee of $100 to $500, or a monthly pet rent of $10 to $80. This may depend on the pet type, breed, and rental property.
Should I allow pets in my rental property?
- If you’re comfortable with it, then yes. The National Association of Realtors reported that 43% of pet owners would move just to accommodate pets, and all those renters will go for pet-friendly homes.
Leave Your Property in Good Hands
We know how hard it is to manage a rental property, more so when you add pets into the mix. There’s no need to worry about any of it, not if you hire professionals like Green Tree Property Management.
We can handle everything from screening tenants and pets to enforcing your lease agreement. Everything in your rental business will run like clockwork, all while you earn passive income! You won’t even have to commit right away.
Give us a call, and you can determine whether we’re the right fit for you and your investment plans.
