Renters asking to have pet, I have no pet policy

Rental Property Investor · Oshkosh, WI · Member since 2019 · 16 posts · 3 votes

I have a duplex and I live in one side and rent the other. I have had renters in there for 10 months and they're asking if they can get a rescue dog. I have a no pet policy which was on the lease. I had remodeled their unit to repair pet damage from past renters, as well as I remodeled my unit for the same reasons, therefore I chose not to allow pets. I don't want to deal with more pet damage, and I live in a country subdivision with alot of families with small children so I wouldn't want the dog to be disruptive, plus I live in the house as well. Am I wrong to stick with my no pet policy or should I allow them to get one? My insurance will not cover bully breeds, which are the majority of the rescue dogs I've seen on the websites.

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Shiela R.

Investor · Boulder, CO · Member since 2017 · 304 posts · 347 votes

@Cindy Schneider it sounds like a clear "no" for very sound reasons. You are not wrong! We don't allow pets in most of our rentals. If we do, there is an interview with the pet and renters. If approved, a non refundable pet fee (not a deposit) and increase of monthly rent in a lease addendum.

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Ned J.Pro Member
Investor · Manteca, CA · Member since 2017 · 1k+ posts · 2k+ votes
4y
Stick to your policy. There is no point in having a lease or policy if you just throw it out the window at the first issue.
Prep for the ESA angle...its probably coming.
At the next tenant, you can reconsider your pet policy and either keep it or modify it then... not now. I'm not doing that for a 10 month tenant
I allow pets...... so its not "pro/against" pet policy .... its a "make your policy and stick with it"
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Richard F.
Honolulu, HI · Member since 2008 · 3k+ posts · 2k+ votes
4y
Quote from @Scott Mac:

There are no "Pit" cats.
Aloha,
I BEG TO DIFFER! I've encountered a least two over the past good many years...vicious, evil, deranged...just my 2 cents.
Also, with regard to ESA's, put a policy in place BEFORE someone requests the "accommodation". As has been stated, you cannot flat out deny, but you can establish a process and a policy that will serve to separate the pure liars from the responsible ESA handlers.
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Julien J.
Investor · CO · Member since 2016 · 757 posts · 1k+ votes
4y
On the other side of the coin, should the pet turn out to be service or emotional support, regardless of your policies the pet is coming in.
Might as well allow the pets with pet rent and non refundable deposit before the tenant finds a loophole.
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Bud Gaffney
Rental Property Investor · Boston, MA · Member since 2019 · 2k+ posts · 1k+ votes
4y
No.
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Bud Gaffney
Rental Property Investor · Boston, MA · Member since 2019 · 2k+ posts · 1k+ votes
4y
It is going to do a lot of wear and tear on your property. I would say no as nicely as possible.
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Wesley W.
Rental Property Investor · The Vampire State · Member since 2013 · 2k+ posts · 2k+ votes
4y
Folks, the OP is an owner occupant, so I am not certain an ESA is "just coming in." Please read up on the Mrs. Murphy exemption.
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Katelyn Andrews
Real Estate Agent · Middle Georgia · Member since 2020 · 54 posts · 32 votes
4y
I sadly just got burned with a tenant with this. At first, I allowed two dogs, she ended up getting two more cats without my permission, and letting the animals pee and poop everywhere. I charged her a non refundable pet deposit for the two dogs and a regular deposit. It wasn't near enough to cover the expense of replacing floors. If you do decide to allow pets, I would write in the lease you will have regular inspections (maybe once a quarter), and the pet deposit for me would have to be hefty.
If it rents just fine without a pet policy, I say save yourself the headache.
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James Wise
Real Estate Broker · Cleveland Dayton Cincinnati Toledo Columbus & Akron, OH · Member since 2013 · 31k+ posts · 20k+ votes
4y
Quote from @Cindy Schneider:

I have a duplex and I live in one side and rent the other. I have had renters in there for 10 months and they're asking if they can get a rescue dog. I have a no pet policy which was on the lease. I had remodeled their unit to repair pet damage from past renters, as well as I remodeled my unit for the same reasons, therefore I chose not to allow pets. I don't want to deal with more pet damage, and I live in a country subdivision with alot of families with small children so I wouldn't want the dog to be disruptive, plus I live in the house as well. Am I wrong to stick with my no pet policy or should I allow them to get one? My insurance will not cover bully breeds, which are the majority of the rescue dogs I've seen on the websites.

You don't want pets. You put a no pet policy on the lease. Answer is simple.....No.
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Nathan GesnerBusiness Member
Moderator
Real Estate Broker · Cody, WY · Member since 2010 · 28k+ posts · 41k+ votes
4y
Quote from @Cindy Schneider:

This should be the easiest answer in the world:
"I'm sorry, but I have a no-animal policy and you knew that when you looked at the rental and signed the lease."

The DIY Landlord Book4.7247 Reviews
Website View Page
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Cindy Schneider
OP
Rental Property Investor · Oshkosh, WI · Member since 2019 · 16 posts · 3 votes
4y
Thanks for all your advice, I told my renters last night that I did not want to allow them to get a pet. They are good renters so far, that's why I felt a little torn whether to let them have a pet or not, but all the issues that could happen from the animal could wreak havoc on what had been going good as is.
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Bruce WoodruffPro Member
Contractor/Investor/Consultant · San Diego / Phoenix · Member since 2021 · 12k+ posts · 15k+ votes
4y
Quote from @Richard F.:

You can if it is partially owner occupied......
There are other exceptions, like if was rented out by the owner as opposed to a Realtor...Or if the Doctors Note is from an online (scam) source, you don't have to accept it either.
I think they are tightening up on this because most ESAs are just scams.....
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Jake KnightPro Member
Property Manager · Indianapolis · Member since 2017 · 303 posts · 146 votes
4y
I agree on getting an addendum in place that would outline the rules and expectations. IMO the pet shouldn't be an X factor on how the tenant treats the property. You can also earn additional rent income because of the pet. The renter will still be responsible for damages done to the property. For liability purposes, I would not allow any aggressive breeds. At the end of the day, you have to be open to animals in the home as service animals and emotional support are exempt of pet clauses by law. Hope this helps!
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Bruce WoodruffPro Member
Contractor/Investor/Consultant · San Diego / Phoenix · Member since 2021 · 12k+ posts · 15k+ votes
4y
Quote from @Jake Knight:

emotional support are exempt of pet clauses by law.
Not entirely, See above.....
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Matt Lyons
Rental Property Investor · Chicago, IL · Member since 2019 · 109 posts · 443 votes
4y
@Cindy Schneider
Depends on the area and tenant base but no matter what CHARGE MORE for a dog… I demand an additional $100-200 deposit and it’s non refundable then I charge an extra $25-50 a month
A dog WILL be an issue no matter what from barking to poop to damage so make sure you monetize this headache
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Chad McMahan
Residential Real Estate Broker · Sedona, AZ · Member since 2017 · 754 posts · 504 votes
4y
Quote from @Cindy Schneider:

I have a duplex and I live in one side and rent the other. I have had renters in there for 10 months and they're asking if they can get a rescue dog. I have a no pet policy which was on the lease. I had remodeled their unit to repair pet damage from past renters, as well as I remodeled my unit for the same reasons, therefore I chose not to allow pets. I don't want to deal with more pet damage, and I live in a country subdivision with alot of families with small children so I wouldn't want the dog to be disruptive, plus I live in the house as well. Am I wrong to stick with my no pet policy or should I allow them to get one? My insurance will not cover bully breeds, which are the majority of the rescue dogs I've seen on the websites.
I always do a non refundable pet deposit + additional pet rent per month. Usually $500+ for the deposit and at least $150 per month for the pet rent. It works out, well. If there is damage beyond the $500+, it comes out of the security deposit, as well. But yes, I interview the tenant and pet, in person, to make sure the dog is not aggressive or too wild/anxious.
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