Every owner of a rental wants their property to be filled and taken care of. Finding that tenant is important and starts from the time of advertising. It used to be very common to add to the listing, no pets allowed, but that could be the very reason that your unit is not being filled. It is becoming increasingly more common for prospective tenants to have pets. So, is it worth it to allow pets at your property? Damage tends to be the number one concern; however, your property will still be protected because the tenant is responsible for any damage. Another positive is that you can collect more with pet rent.
When the rental is up on the market, the goal is to get as many views as possible. What are some things that tenants look for right away to decide if they want to see the unit in person? Price, bedrooms, bathrooms, yard, and whether they allow pets. These sections are usually listed right at the beginning for the ease of a quick glance. A lot of these things are not something that you can control, but allowing pets is something that can be controlled. When allowing pets, you can become more specific about the pets that are allowed. You can be specific about the size of the animal, the type of animal, and how many animals. The broader you are, the better your chances are of getting some interest in your rental unit.
One of the main concerns for owners when allowing pets is that the pet will cause damage. It is understandable to have this concern, but damage can come from anywhere. Damage can happen to the property, no matter the situation. The main thing to remember is that when it comes to responsibility, tenants are still responsible for any damage done to the property. Whether it's from the tenant or the animal, as long as you can prove the damage is damage and not normal wear and tear, the tenant will be responsible. During the screening process, we can also ask the previous landlords about the unit once they moved out. This can help indicate if the tenant is careful with the unit and that their pets don’t cause damage.
When allowing pets, you can add pet rent. This is an extra charge that can be added to the monthly take-in. It is common to get pets registered as an ESA, which means landlords are not legally able to deny these pets, nor are they allowed to charge for them. By allowing pets up front, you are more likely to be able to collect rent from the pets as well. It is good to note that, whether you allow pets or not, if the tenant has an emotional support animal, you have to allow the animal.
Navigating pets in rentals can be hard and require extra steps for the landlord. Our team is up to date on laws and regulations on ESA’s and pets in the unit. We can help you make the best decisions to protect you and your property. Reach out to schedule a free consultation at 801-845-4390