BiggerPockets

I have a prospective tenant who is moving to our area to work as an air traffic controller. He seems very responsible, but he has a pit bull. The dog seems very friendly but I am afraid to be opening myself up to liability. It is a single family house and it has a fence all around. He plans to get renters insurance and any additional insurance. I live in Florida and Pit Bulls are not banned in our county. Would you rent to a Pit Bull owner?
My other prospective tenant is a family with 3 kids which would probably be a safer bet.

I'm with Josh on this one. I have a renter with a small dog, but pit is another issue. I own a black lab mix with pit myself and I have an automatic gate to my house. My dog escaped twice because the gate was left open. Now that was my responsibility and my control, but to be responsible to someone's else actions, is a whole different ball game.

I would be tempted to go against the grain on this one. Since he seems responsible allow him to prove it by getting an insurance policy for the pit before he moves in and also get a pet deposit for not only the potential inside damage, but also for the refurbishing of the yard.

The wording of the rental should also include a provision that if the city or county ever do put in a restriction against the pit breed that the contract is voided.

If he can and is willing to jump through all the hoops necessary then it should be ok.

nonononononono. I would not.

Josh,

You're absolutely right - pitbulls can be excellent, loving, family dogs. Unfortunately, that's not the issue. The issue is that they (along with at least 10 other breeds) have been identified as vicious dogs and allowing them on the property creates a liability for the owner and may invalidate your insurance coverage.

Mike

Matthew, you do have a very good point, but as I said in the beginning, If he gets enough insurance (just how much is really enough?) and is willing to sign the approiate non-idemnity clauses. Then you have shown that there is no neglect on your part and those cases against you should not succeed.

Should not succeed does not mean that they wont succeed and thereby there is still risk.

Since nothing is ever sure in the reality of todays society and the judges rulings, My original statement of I WOULD BE TEMPTED to go against the grain, does not mean that I would rent to him, but I would definately consider him, if as was stated, he was responsible and did the right things.

But with the additional information provided of another rental client also ready to rent same apt. I would have to go with them first.

Josh,
In my city, you have to get a special license to have a "dangerous breed" such as a pitbull. I can't afford that liability of specifically allowing a "dangerous breed" on my properties.

You're right though, it doesn't make sense. A person doesn't need that license for a Giant Schnauzer or a Catahoula - both of which have been used to hunt bears.

Tim

For a list of dogs that are considered vicious, see my reply in the related thread about dogs in a rental:
http://www.biggerpockets.com/forums/52-rental-property-questions-landlording-issues/topics/33749-dogs-in-the-rental-apt

I don't know that I'd be taking legal advice from the police department. Perhaps for guidance on a criminal matter, but if the dog hurts someone you will be likely named in a civil suit.

And no on the Pit Bull.

No, for two reasons.

First, my insurance company will not cover me for liability for a pit-bull.

Second, there is something wrong in the head of a tenant who says to himself: I am a tenant. Landlords don't like to rent to dogs. Most landlrods won't rent to large dogs. No landlords will rent to pit-bulls. Hey, I think I'll get myself a great big pit-bull.

I know wonderful responsible owners of American Staffordshire Terriers (the show version of the Pit). Not one of them is a tenant. They are all home owners.

Every tenant I've ever met that owned a Pit-bull is a sleazeball. The dog I might take (the majority of Pits are nice dogs), the owner, never.

Every tenant "seems" nice, "seems" responsible, has a good excuse for everythig when they are applying. I'd take that pit-bull to indicate that guy has issues.

You can't stop him from canceling insurance and his insurance won't stop you from getting sued. It could be a dog scratch or someone fell down because it scared them to see a Pit-bull inside the fence, and all the jury has to hear is "Pit-bull" and you just lost your case and had the judgement tripled.

Just say no.