It has always been more difficult for pet owners to find rental properties that allow pets, and even when they do, many options come with strict pet restrictions. With over 70% of renters searching for pet-friendly rentals, allowing pets can significantly increase your tenant pool and rent faster.
However, there is a reason why many property owners prefer not to have pets in their property. Even with responsible pet owners, you can encounter issues that can make property management a lot harder. Here's how you can be pet-friendly while minimizing risks for you and your tenants.
Key Highlights:
- Creating clear pet policies regarding allowed animals, size restrictions, pet screening, fees, and waste cleanup responsibilities helps landlords minimize risks while maintaining a pet-friendly environment.
- Pet screening allows landlords to evaluate an animal's behavior, health records, rental history, and training background, helping ensure pets are a good fit for the property and community.
- Pet-friendly amenities such as dog washing stations and on-site dog parks can enhance the tenant experience, reduce maintenance issues, and make a rental property more attractive to pet owners.
- Allowing pets can significantly expand your pool of prospective tenants in San Diego, where many renters are actively searching for pet-friendly housing options.
- Pet-friendly rentals often experience lower vacancy rates, stronger tenant retention, and additional revenue opportunities through pet-related fees, making them a valuable investment strategy for landlords.
I. Creating Clear Pet Policies
Having rules and guidelines is the key to minimizing damage while allowing pets. Fair rules can improve respect and cooperation among tenants.
Certain Breeds or Types
Clearly specify which animals are permitted in a rental unit. For example, it's common for landlords to only allow dogs, cats, fish, and small caged animals. Prohibit dangerous animals that can pose risks to other renters in the property. With dogs, for instance, breeds like pit bulls or dobermans are normally restricted. Do note that breed restrictions may not be as effective as assessing individual dog behavior.
Size Restrictions
When applicable, you can limit pet size and weight. You can allow big dogs as long as they don't exceed 50 pounds. Despite claims of being well-behaved, the mere presence of large animals can already cause distress among residents. Bigger animals tend to cause more wear and tear to the structure and furniture, which affects your property value.
Pet Screening Requirements
Learning more about a pet can help you decide whether it can stay in your rental without causing trouble. It's not just about how they can affect the tenants in your property, but also other pets. Pet screening tells you whether they have a good rental history and if they won't pose risks to other animals. You can ask for:
- Vaccination records
- Flea Treatment records
- Veterinary information
- Age and breed
- Training history
- References from prior landlords and vets
You can ask tenants to bring their pets for a meet-and-greet to better assess their temper, and be sure to screen dogs based on behavior, not breed.
Pet Fees and Deposits
Landlords can charge higher rent for pet-friendly properties to account for potential issues like property damage. By planning, you won't find yourself worrying about repair costs. There are different charges you can make, such as a pet deposit or pet rent. Be sure to specify in the lease whether fees are refundable once the tenant leaves, and how much they need to pay.
Pet Waste Cleanup Responsibilities
Part of pet ownership is cleaning up after your furry friends. That includes picking up waste outdoors, cleaning litter boxes regularly, and properly disposing of pet waste. Failing to do so can attract pests and cause odors that would affect other tenants in the property. You can use lease addenda to clarify responsibilities.
II. Providing Pet Amenities
Pets tend to have different needs from their owners, and having pet amenities can encourage more pet owners to choose your rental for its benefits.
Dog Washing Station
A dog washing station can help you and your tenant keep the premises clean, whether it's an apartment or a single-family home. After a walk, a washing station keeps their pets from tracking mud across floors or staining carpets and furniture. It can make all the difference if you don't want the additional cleaning responsibility in common areas.
Dog Parks
Places like apartments or condos don't typically have enough space for pet owners to play with their pets. Instead of walking their dogs to keep them healthy, they can opt for the dog park on your property, where their pets can freely run and play with other animals. You can use scratch-resistant flooring to reduce maintenance tasks for your rental, or resilient landscaping.
Benefits of Allowing Pets in Your Rental Property
Although being a pet-friendly rental comes with risks and hazards, the advantages your business can get are worth considering.
- Pet owners are more likely to renew their leases, given the limited housing options. With lower vacancy rates than non-pet-friendly rentals, you can have a more stable rental income.
- You can charge a pet fee to cover potential damages. Depending on what kind of fee you charge, some are non-refundable and automatically add to your rental income.
- Not many property owners allow pets, which means being pet-friendly already puts you ahead of other rental listings in a large tenant pool and makes it easier to find new tenants.
Pet-Friendly Rental FAQs
1. Why should landlords consider making their rental property pet-friendly?
Allowing pets can attract more prospective tenants, reduce vacancy periods, improve tenant retention, and create opportunities for additional income through pet-related fees.
2. What should a pet policy include?
A pet policy should outline the types of pets allowed, size or weight limits, pet screening requirements, pet fees or deposits, waste cleanup responsibilities, and tenant expectations for pet behavior.
3. Can landlords restrict certain breeds or pet sizes?
Yes, where permitted by state and local laws, landlords may establish reasonable restrictions on pet breeds, sizes, or weights. However, evaluating each pet based on its behavior is often a more effective approach.
4. What are common pet-related fees landlords can charge?
Landlords may charge a refundable pet deposit, a non-refundable pet fee, or monthly pet rent, depending on local regulations and the terms of the lease.
Hiring Assistance to Protect Your Investment
With considerable risks, additional maintenance, and potential legal landmines that come with being a pet-friendly rental, having an expert watching over your property can provide you with peace of mind. At Income Property Advisors, we handle matters like maintenance and lease enforcement to keep the living environment safe and in good condition.
Contact us, and we can help you make sure your property meets tenant and legal standards.
More Resources:
Must-Have Amenities for San Diego Tenants in Today’s Market
Lease Rules That San Diego Multifamily Properties Should Have
