Tenant wanting to keep a dog

Gilbert, Arizona
General Landlording & Rental Properties
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Tenant wanting to keep a dog

Viktor Singh
Member since 2022 · 17 posts · 15 votes

Hello, 

My tenant is requesting if he can adopt a rescue dog. What are some of the things that i should consider before making a decision. He has been a good tenant. I am just concerned that the dog could damage the property and I will have to deal with fixing things up. Should i ask for a deposit ? Increase the rent ? What is the typical recommendation ?

Thanks,

Viktor

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Bjorn AhlbladPro Member
Investor · Shelton, WA · Member since 2017 · 6k+ posts · 6k+ votes
3y

We allow animals in some properties but some are really not any good for them or the other tenants. We charge 25/month and a 350 dollar deposit and some breeds are excluded by the insurance company. See what is in your lease. All the best!

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  • Bjorn AhlbladPro Member
    Investor · Shelton, WA · Member since 2017 · 6k+ posts · 6k+ votes
    3y

    We allow animals in some properties but some are really not any good for them or the other tenants. We charge 25/month and a 350 dollar deposit and some breeds are excluded by the insurance company. See what is in your lease. All the best!

    1Reply
  • Mason WeissBusiness Member
    Realtor · Phoenix, AZ · Member since 2021 · 524 posts · 241 votes
    3y

    Hey @Viktor Singh, charge a one time non-refundable pet deposit of a few hundred dollars and then monthly pent rent ranging from $30-$60 per month. This is in line with most rental leases. 

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  • Ned J.Pro Member
    Investor · Manteca, CA · Member since 2017 · 1k+ posts · 2k+ votes
    3y

    Also make sure your insurance doesnt exclude the breed from your coverage

    0Reply
  • Alecia LovelessPro Member
    Member since 2019 · 3k+ posts · 2k+ votes
    3y

    @Viktor Singh I generally allow pets. My pet owners have been responsible and they tend to stay longer. This past spring I had a young couple adopt a medium sized dog. One of my rules was that I asked them to keep him crated if they were going to be gone for long periods of time. So far it has worked out beautifully.

    I do not charge an extra deposit or pet rent. But I do make sure that my pet owners are up to market rent and not at a low rent rate.

    0Reply
  • Richard F.
    Honolulu, HI · Member since 2008 · 3k+ posts · 2k+ votes
    3y
    Aloha,

    What does your current Rental Agreement state on the subject? What were your intentions when you first offered it for rent, with regard to pets? Generally speaking, you should not re-evaluate your plans just because a Tenant wants a change. Will you add a roommate or two if he asks for it?

    Pets can cause a lot of damage that is costly to repair. Are there Good Pets? Sure...and every Tenant will tell you theirs IS very good. I've never, ever, had a Tenant ask if they could get a man-killing Tasmanian devil dog. You will only know the real truth, after the fact.

    I would just add, if you decide to stick with a "No Pets" policy, then you should also adopt a detailed "Assistance Animal" policy. That way, you cover all pets, and non-pets alike. Of course, you cannot prohibit legit Assistance Animals or charge any deposit, fees, or rent for them. With a proper policy however, you can minimize issues due to Tenants gaming the system.
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  • Jonathan R McLaughlin
    Rental Property Investor · Boston, Massachusetts (MA) · Member since 2016 · 2k+ posts · 2k+ votes
    3y

    among other things we add an addendum that says credible complaints about noise and/or waste on the premises will constitute an evictable violation. We also say they should expect to pay for a thorough cleaning upon move out, so that a renter allergic to dogs would be comfortable in the apartment and that it is at our sole discretion whether to charge it or not. So far we havent had to.

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  • Nathan GesnerBusiness Member
    Moderator
    Real Estate Broker · Cody, WY · Member since 2010 · 28k+ posts · 41k+ votes
    3y

    I try to make properties pet friendly and monetize it with rent increases. Depending on the type of dog and the risk it poses, charge an up-front fee and then an increase to the monthly rent.

    Any animal owned less than one year should be considered high risk. That would include kittens, puppies, or rescue animals. The first year is when they are most likely going to have problems while they adjust to the environment or during their growing/training phase. For that reason, I charge hundreds up front, followed by a minimum $50 per month.

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    1Reply
  • Theresa HarrisPro Member
    Member since 2019 · 15k+ posts · 11k+ votes
    3y

    Chances are if you say no, he will go online and get papers claiming it is an emotional support animal.  Get a pet deposit, write an addendum to the lease stating the tenant is responsible for cleaning up after the dog and ensuring it does not disturb anyone.  You can also get a monthly pet rent in some areas.  As Bjorn mentioned, also check the breed for insurance purposes.

    0Reply
  • John MorganPro Member
    Rental Property Investor · Grand Prairie, TX · Member since 2018 · 2k+ posts · 2k+ votes
    3y

    They all sneak them in anyway. I just look the other way. Lol

    0Reply
  • Sergei Gremeniuk
    Bloomington, MN · Member since 2023 · 17 posts · 13 votes
    3y

    I charge $50/month and ask for an additional $500 on top of regular security deposit. 

    0Reply
  • Patrick M.
    Rental Property Investor · Red Bank, NJ · Member since 2017 · 1k+ posts · 1k+ votes
    3y

    I renovated a building that allowed pets. It entailed ripping up the subfloors from years of urine. All pet owners are responsible, upstanding people- just kinda funny how this happened.

    I am an outlier in my market. My renovated rentals are pet free and I know this because I regularly check on them. I rent to primarily young professionals who work some days from home. But when they are in the city- that is a long day away.

    I had tenants ask, especially during the pandemic. Answer is no.

    NJ has a non-refundable pet deposit. If I thought someone was going to disregard my rule then I would tell them sure- the rent will be $500 more a month. But that wouldn't happen because I spend a lot of time vetting. 
    Maybe when I am getting ready to sell I will jack-up the rent and allow pets.

    1Reply
  • Andrew McGuire
    Real Estate Agent · Chandler, AZ · Member since 2022 · 216 posts · 156 votes
    3y

    Deposit part refundable and non refundable. Make sure it is not a puppy lol. 

    0Reply
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