Opinions: Pets in Rental Properties

[Tommy Nguyen]

Hello BiggerPockets community,

I am asking everyone's opinion regarding pets in their rental properties. I am a pet person myself, however, I am unsure if I'll allow pets in my rental properties due to untrained pets, which results in further damage and maintenance. If you do allow pets in your rentals, what are your policies and fees to mitigate "damage"? Also, what is your general experience concerning tenants with pets? Thanks!

Best,

Tommy Nguyen

[Jim K.]

In the LTR C-class segment, a large share of the kind of people who are going to stay with you for a long, long, time and make your operation profitable because of lack of turnover have dogs and (less frequently) cats. This is one of the main reasons I like refinishing existing 3/4-inch hardwood floors in rental acquisitions instead of using anything to cover them up. I've had hundred-pound dogs in places where I've laid down three coats of oil-based poly. No problem other than a scratch or two that can easily be repaired. A polyurethaned oak floor in good shape will not soak up pet urine. For the same reason, I like traditional tile flooring, although I cannot in good conscience recommend it to rental owners who are not installing it themselves.