Investor · Lehi, UT · Member since 2016 · 27 posts · 3 votes
Hi Utah BP Community! The tenants in our SFH are ending their contract early and are marketing our property to find someone to take over their contract. They have a tenant who is interested who has a Bearded Dragon. This is a first time for me. Any of you have tenants with this type of animal? Any good/bad experiences? Anything I should love worried about? Is this something people will charge a pet fee for?
Augusta, GA · Member since 2014 · 1k+ posts · 1k+ votes
9y
My youngest son has a bearded dragon. Talk about a low maintenance pet! Frank hibernates for weeks and weeks at a time and you never see him when he does this as he's in his den. He does need warmth so Matthew has a heat lamp on the top of his cage. He feeds him greens, dried mealworms and blueberries for treats when he's not hibernating. In terms of pets for a landlord this one would be one that would be least likely to cause damage.
Investor · Orange County, CA · Member since 2015 · 2k+ posts · 3k+ votes
9y
I once rented to a tenant that looked a bit like a bearded dragon lizard, but never to one with a bearded dragon lizard. LOL. However, I've seen and held that type of animal ... they seem fairly docile and I can't see them causing a lot of damage or other liability issues. If you are worried I would ask that the animal stay in its cage unless it is in the owner's hands, but not to run free in the unit. If the tenants seem good and well qualified otherwise, I would not filter them out because of it. I probably wouldn't charge a pet fee for this type of animal either since I can't imagine it doing much damage, but if you do I would make it refundable if there is no damage upon move out.
Augusta, GA · Member since 2014 · 1k+ posts · 1k+ votes
9y
My youngest son has a bearded dragon. Talk about a low maintenance pet! Frank hibernates for weeks and weeks at a time and you never see him when he does this as he's in his den. He does need warmth so Matthew has a heat lamp on the top of his cage. He feeds him greens, dried mealworms and blueberries for treats when he's not hibernating. In terms of pets for a landlord this one would be one that would be least likely to cause damage.
Investor · Vancouver, WA · Member since 2013 · 3k+ posts · 4k+ votes
9y
We currently have a tenant with a Bearded Dragon lizard. It lives in an aquarium, but is out from time to time under the supervision of it's owner. No problem so far!
We require all pets.... mammals, rodents, birds, reptiles, fish, insects, etc... be well cared for. Only responsible pet owners are allowed to have pets. All pets/animals must be declared and a pet agreement or service/assistance animal agreement completed for each animal. Those is an aquarium or caged together can be on the same agreement.
The pet agreement [or service/assistance animal agreement] spells out our terms for allowing the animal on the premises. Including the tenant's responsibilities for animal care. We charge either a higher security deposit or extra rent for the privilege of keeping a pet, even if it's a nominal amount, such as $5 extra per month. This deters tenants from adding more animals and also holds them more accountable.
Investor · Denver, CO · Member since 2011 · 53 posts · 8 votes
9y
@Marcia Maynard . . . I do love all your inputs throughout the forums! Thank you for always taking the time; same to several others.
I have a question for you on your "pet agreement" . . . I have a good tenant that currently does not have a pet and my lease specifies they must have my permission. She now would like to get a kitten/young cat which I've had good luck with in the past. I agree on the charging a nominal amount . . . here in Denver it seems some folks ask for non-refundable deposits b/w $200-400 or Pet rent running anywhere b/w $20-50/mo/pet Or they charge both which I think is exorbitant (but so is rent here). Anyway, it sounds like your pet agreement is separate from the lease, no? Would you do an addendum in this case or how would you handle the agreement? And do you have a copy of an agreement I could use - whatever you're comfortable with? thanks! And I'm torn on how much to charge - thoughts? It is a very nice rental, Victorian, etc.
Rental Property Investor · Denver, CO · Member since 2013 · 4k+ posts · 2k+ votes
9y
@Lora H. these are two very different terms. Deposit and non-refundable. They are almost opposites. The term for something "non-refundable" is FEE. Deposits are really tenants money that is being held by the owner for return at some later date. My animal fees are $350 per animal and my animal rent is $35 per month. Lest you think this is over the top, I know one desirable multi-family property that was charging pet rent of $450 per month. This was on a one bed unit renting for about $1,900 per month. Start high, pet ownership is a privilege and costs. Good owners know this and understand it's going to cost to own an animal. They don't balk. The ones that argue are the ones that leave the animal for hours on end alone and unattended. They don't take the animal to the vet for UTIs and all the other things that end up costing to own a pet. Don't be shy. These little critters can cost you thousands. If you accept them and are in the business long enough, you will have damage from them. The money you collect now is to off-set the costs when that day comes.
BTW No animals younger than 1 year. Cats must be house broke at the very least. You don't want them training the kitten at your property. Sure it might not be noticeable to you and I but the next dog or cat in the unit will know and some will feel obliged to re-mark the area.
You're exactly right, I shouldn't call it a deposit if it's refundable, lol. I guess I'm anticipating them asking me what's the pet rent (or per month pet fee) for which is what I'm having a hard time with.
Rental Property Investor · Denver, CO · Member since 2013 · 4k+ posts · 2k+ votes
9y
@Lora H. there is animal or pet rent. There is also animal or pet registration fee. The fee is a one time event (when the lease is signed and the security deposit money changes hands). The rent is every month when rent is collected.
Investor · Vancouver, WA · Member since 2013 · 3k+ posts · 4k+ votes
9y
@Lora H. Our pet agreement is a separate form that becomes an addendum to the rental agreement. I'd be happy to share it with you, just send me a colleague request with a message that includes your contact details.
Be very careful about your decision to allow a pet or not. The key is determining if the tenant is a responsible pet owner or not and the potential for damage to your property.
Kittens and puppies can cause significant damage. I would say no, by saying "I'm sorry but that would be very difficult for us." But if I did choose to allow a tenant to keep a pet on the premises, we would have a long talk about it prior to the pet's arrival and establish a clear understanding about required pet care and how to mitigate damage.
Bloomington, IN · Member since 2017 · 53 posts · 37 votes
9y
I can't imagine how the bearded dragon itself would cause any damage, but you may want to stipulate something about the heat lamps. They are a fairly common cause of fire. You've got a high wattage bulb that is hot enough to make the interior of an enclosure mimic a desert. If it is not properly secured, and they usually aren't, it can potentially fall and if it comes into contact with anything flammable...
I want to tell everyone about a special kind of reptile - the Bearded Dragon Lizard. I bought it in a specialized pet store when he was no more than 15 cm long. I chose and chose a quiet and calm person who would sit quietly and quietly on his hand. Brought him home in a container. The animal rests in the evening and at night, and is awake in the morning and in the afternoon. Small lizards often molt, due to a growing organism.
Hi Utah BP Community! The tenants in our SFH are ending their contract early and are marketing our property to find someone to take over their contract. They have a tenant who is interested who has a Bearded Dragon. This is a first time for me. Any of you have tenants with this type of animal? Any good/bad experiences? Anything I should love worried about? Is this something people will charge a pet fee for?
Don't let the name fool you. It's just a lil guy. Probably going to be in a tank 99% of the time. Nothing to worry about. Wouldn't charge a pet fee.