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Did you know that about 58% of renters have pets? Pet owners comprise a large demographic that you can tap into if you own a pet-friendly rental property, so why do other property owners still restrict pets?
There's a risk that comes with allowing pets in your rental, from property damage to tenant harm. To protect your tenants, your property, and yourself, you have to set pet policies that place certain restrictions and rules.
Key Highlights:
- Landlords commonly set limits on the types, breeds, and number of pets allowed, often restricting larger or high-risk dog breeds while permitting smaller animals like cats or caged pets.
- Implementing pet fees, deposits, or monthly pet rent helps protect the property from damage and covers cleaning, maintenance, and liability costs associated with pets.
- Designated pet areas, such as outdoor spaces, dog parks, or washing stations, help maintain safety and reduce disturbances in shared common areas.
- Clear policies on pet damage liability, insurance requirements, and responsibilities ensure tenants understand what they must cover, reducing conflicts and financial risk for landlords.
- Pet screening, along with proper acknowledgment of service animals and ESAs under federal law, ensures that pets are compatible with the property while maintaining legal compliance and fair accommodations.
Pet Type and Breed
As you know, some dog breeds might not be as compatible with your property as others. Some tenants may also be uncomfortable with breeds perceived as dangerous. It's easier to set rules for cats, given that domesticated felines are typically small. For dog breeds, the usual restrictions can apply to:
- German Sherperd
- Rottweiler
- Siberian Husky
- American Pit Bull Terrier
- Chow Chow
- Doberman Pinscher
- Akita Great Dane
Pet Limit
Most landlords set a maximum limit of 1-2 per unit, and that depends entirely on the size of the rental unit. You can even set the specific breeds that are allowed in your rental property and restrict bigger dogs. You can provide an occasional allowance for additional pets, as long as they are small caged animals, like hamsters, guinea pigs, and fish.
Pet Fees, Deposits, and Rent
This is among the most important landlord pet policies you can implement, as it protects your property from pet damage or liability. Many pet owners tend to be responsible with their furry friends, but it's better to have the means to cover damages.
- Pet Fee: These are non-refundable fees that can cover risks and costs for allowing pets. Normally, landlords no longer charge pet deposits when a pet fee has already been paid.
- Pet Rent: Landlords who charge pet rent can collect regularly, which is intended for extra wear and tear, cleaning, maintenance, and even liability coverage.
- Pet Deposit: Like a security deposit, this can cover possible damages caused by pets. Be sure to provide the pet owner with an itemized receipt of the charges you made.
Pet Areas
You should include a pet addendum outlining ground rules, such as the places where pets can go. Common areas are generally restricted to avoid liability, especially if you have tenants who are allergic or afraid of certain animal breeds. Even with responsible pet ownership, there are still risks you can entirely avoid with this pet policy. You can assign designated areas outdoors, such as dog parks or washing stations.
Pet Damage Liability
If you did not collect deposits from the pet owners, you can outline the damages that need to be covered in the lease agreement. That includes repairing damages caused by pets, professional deodorizing, flea treatment, and cleaning services upon move-out, should they make a mess.
Pet Insurance
This type of insurance can be included in standard renters insurance and can protect your renters from certain issues, such as their pets causing injuries or damaging other tenants' property. You can require tenants to acquire insurance as a condition of the lease agreement.
Pet Screening and Why It's Important
Although a pet-friendly rental opens you to more potential tenants, and pet policies can keep pets in check, pet screening ensures that the companion animal is a good fit for your rental property. During the interview, you can ask about:
- Health: Ask whether their pet has completed all necessary vaccinations, as this protects the other animals in your rental property as well.
- Behavior: Assess whether they have been trained well, and ask about particular habits concerning aggressions and noise. You may also call previous landlords for reference and confirm the applicant's responses.
- Pet Owner Responsibility: Ask the tenant what capacity they can take care of their pets, such as the time they spend at home, and how they dispose of pet waste.
Outline what the pet policies are in your lease agreement, given how important a factor this is in their decision process. While they might opt for more lenient pet-friendly housing, it's not a loss on your end. You need to set boundaries to protect your investment or charge higher fees to cover more significant risks.
Service Animals and Emotional Support Animals (ESA)
Pet agreement rules or no pet policies generally do not apply to both service animals and emotional support animals, since state law, the Americans with Disabilities Act, and the Fair Housing Act protect them from such restrictions.
With state and local laws in place, you are required to provide reasonable accommodations to tenants who have service animals. In addition to rules and restrictions, you are not allowed to charge any kind of pet fees for both emotional support and service animals.
Rental Property Pet Policy FAQs
Are pet-friendly rental housing harder to manage?
- Not necessarily, although you will have to implement pet policies in place to prevent potential damage and tenant issues. It's part of your property management duties to enforce these policies and issue consequences when needed.
Do pet policies apply to service and emotional support animals?
- No. The Fair Housing Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act prohibit landlords from applying these rules to service animals and ESAs, as they are considered medical necessities and not pets.
How much should I charge for pet fees?
- One-time fees can range from $100 to $400, while the monthly rent for pets can go from $10 to $100. Pet deposits, which can cover additional wear, repairs, and cleaning services, can go as high as $500 in some rental properties.
Is it more profitable to be a pet-friendly rental property?
- Yes. A no-pets allowed policy reduces your prospective tenant pool, and can even increase tenant turnover should they decide to acquire a pet during their tenancy.
Can I require tenants to purchase pet insurance?
- Yes. Some insurance companies offer renters insurance that already includes pet insurance. This allows tenants to have coverage for incidents like pet damage or pet-caused injuries.
An Arrangement Where Everyone is Contented
Being a landlord can be a full-time job, and adding animals into the mix can be enough to push you to your limits. We understand how tough property management can be, which is why here at PMI Georgia, we are equipped with the resources and manpower to handle it all.
The beauty of hiring a property manager is that it won't just lighten your workload, but they can also apply professional strategies to boost profitability. As you get your time back and earn passive income, you can explore ways to expand your portfolio!
Don't miss out on your opportunity to grow as a real estate investor. Contact us today.
