Pet deposit for...chickens?!?

Member since 2018 · 156 posts · 106 votes

We purchased our first investment property this year, and are currently accepting applications. The property is on a 1/2 acre privacy fenced lot, so we are allowing pets as we figure with that large of a yard animal owners will be our primary market. For pets we are requiring a $200 nonrefundable fee to clean out the ac/ducting, and a $300 Refundable deposit per animal. However I just had someone request to bring chickens....Im fine with it, but have no idea what to charge for a deposit. They would obviously (hopefully) remain outside at all times, and I don’t think the above mentioned fees/deposits are practical or fair for chickens. Curious to see what others would require in fees/deposits for chickens?

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Thomas S.

Member since 2016 · 13k+ posts · 12k+ votes

"They would obviously (hopefully) remain outside at all times,"

Your are new to this business so take note. There is absolutely no reason to assume they will not bring the chickens into the house. Additionally they will be acquiring more farm animals once they move in. Obviously you do not know tenants and are likely going to have to pay the price to learn. If you do not specify in the lease that the chickens and all other farm animals are not permitted in the house they will bring them in. You must also specify that they require written permission for any addition animals beyond the initial chickens and that in the event there are any complaints they will be required to get rid of all animals .

If you accept these tenants you will need to do frequent inspections and watch them like a hawk. They are likely to be a problem. My advice is that you make your life simple for your first venture and pass on these applicants.

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Mark Nickoson
Rental Property Investor · Dayton, OH · Member since 2015 · 79 posts · 85 votes
7y
Don't know about the deposit. If you are in an urban area you better check the zoning.
0 Reply
Alyssa K.
OP
Member since 2018 · 156 posts · 106 votes
7y
@Mark Nickoson the property is out of city limits.
0 Reply
Mary M.
Rental Property Investor · Portland OR · Member since 2018 · 2k+ posts · 3k+ votes
7y
I would not do pet deposits
0 Reply
Pat L.
Rental Property Investor · Upstate, NY · Member since 2012 · 3k+ posts · 3k+ votes
7y
We had a tenant that also wanted chickens (we have 5 acres). 51 arrived by mail in 2 shoe boxes & they all survived. Then the tenant bailed on taking care of them or paying for their upkeep. We had a lot of eggs & some friends adopted most. NEVER again
5 Reply
Diana Flores
Real Estate Agent · Washington DC · Member since 2017 · 16 posts · 13 votes
7y
@Alyssa Kroeker Keep the same deposit in case they leave the yard under their chicken coop full of poop when they move out. If the chickens live inside, feathers create a lot of dust too.
0 Reply
Thomas S.
Member since 2016 · 13k+ posts · 12k+ votes
7y
"They would obviously (hopefully) remain outside at all times,"
Your are new to this business so take note. There is absolutely no reason to assume they will not bring the chickens into the house. Additionally they will be acquiring more farm animals once they move in. Obviously you do not know tenants and are likely going to have to pay the price to learn. If you do not specify in the lease that the chickens and all other farm animals are not permitted in the house they will bring them in. You must also specify that they require written permission for any addition animals beyond the initial chickens and that in the event there are any complaints they will be required to get rid of all animals .
If you accept these tenants you will need to do frequent inspections and watch them like a hawk. They are likely to be a problem. My advice is that you make your life simple for your first venture and pass on these applicants.
8 Reply
Jason Young
Contractor · Meeker, OK · Member since 2018 · 13 posts · 9 votes
7y
@Alyssa Kroeker Ok a couple of things will they be supplying a coop? Or do you have shed they will be using for the chickens at night. You will have a lot of cleanup if they leave the coop when they move or if they use a shed if yours it may ruin the floor so I would definitely be getting a good security deposit on it because if the fly the coop or evicted you will be left with a big cleanup!
1 Reply
Nathan GesnerBusiness Member
Moderator
Real Estate Broker · Cody, WY · Member since 2010 · 28k+ posts · 41k+ votes
7y
@Alyssa Kroeker if there is a risk of them bringing the chickens into the home, I would not accept it. Even if they keep the chickens outside, you have to consider where they would keep them and what that would do to the landscaping. The chicken house a d fencing would damage the lawn. Chickens are notorious for scratching the ground and digging nesting holes. there's also the issue of noise and noise complaints from the neighbors.
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Alyssa K.
OP
Member since 2018 · 156 posts · 106 votes
7y
@Pat L. Wow! Did you charge a deposit/fee initially that helped cover some of the expense and headache you incurred? We are offering lawn service for this property, so by having one our our guys there biweekly to mow and check the property, I’m hopeful I could allow the chickens and quickly be made aware of any issues.
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Alyssa K.
OP
Member since 2018 · 156 posts · 106 votes
7y
@Thomas S. I agree, we would certainly include strict guidelines regarding animals of any kind in the lease. Thankfully we have included lawn care for this property, so we will have eyes and ears on the yard biweekly, which made us less nervous about allowing them.
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Alyssa K.
OP
Member since 2018 · 156 posts · 106 votes
7y
@Jason Young they would need to supply their own coop. I’d definitely want the deposit to cover breaking down/removing/disposing off the coop if they were to leave it, but wasn’t sure on the amount. My first inclination was somewhere in the neighborhood of a $300-$500 deposit, but I want to be fair while also protecting our investment.
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Alyssa K.
OP
Member since 2018 · 156 posts · 106 votes
7y
@Nathan G. I wouldn’t expect they would bring them inside, but with any animal I’d want to be prepared for it, and have a deposit or a fee written into the lease to protect from damages. I just wasnt sure what would be considered reasonable. I’m not worried about the neighbors, as several have chickens as well, although I believe they own. The neighbors on either side of the house kind of stink, which is another reason I’d rather give a little and allow odd animals and get someone with better credit than get someone with less than stellar credit and no animals. One next door neighbor runs a mechanic shop out of his property, the other is vacant and hasn’t been lived in or mowed in at least 5 years. I’ve been trying to talk that guy into letting us buy his place since he is obviously overwhelmed by the work needed to make it right, but he isn’t ready to budge just yet. In the meantime, I do think his lot deterring some applicants. And of course it’s not the best time of year to begin a lease.
0 Reply
Joshua Tobin
Ballston Spa, NY · Member since 2014 · 84 posts · 36 votes
7y
@Alyssa Kroeker I highly suggest you not allowing this to happen. I can speak from experience of having my own chickens that it’s a messy business ;) If they don’t have an adequate pen and someone to properly take care of them it’s gonna turn into a burden.
2 Reply
Pat L.
Rental Property Investor · Upstate, NY · Member since 2012 · 3k+ posts · 3k+ votes
7y
"..If they don’t have an adequate pen and someone to properly take care of them it’s gonna turn into a burden..."
or a Fox/Coyote happy meal
0 Reply
Conn Hutzell
North West Arkansas · Member since 2018 · 9 posts · 1 vote
7y
Dont assume they wont bring them in... never assume they wont bring them in! Chickens will also tear up a yard depending on size and amount of chickens. Roosters make one hell of a racket and neighbors will complain. Chickens are not a good idea unless you have a strict limit of 5. I've done the chicken thing...
0 Reply
James Wise
Real Estate Broker · Cleveland Dayton Cincinnati Toledo Columbus & Akron, OH · Member since 2013 · 30k+ posts · 20k+ votes
7y
Originally posted by @Pat L.:

We had a tenant that also wanted chickens (we have 5 acres). 51 arrived by mail in 2 shoe boxes & they all survived. Then the tenant bailed on taking care of them or paying for their upkeep. We had a lot of eggs & some friends adopted most. NEVER again
We've inherited several displaced pets as well. The frequency in which people abandon their pets in these rental homes is astounding. Sadly not all of them survive either. We've encountered many that have died of thirst in the homes when the tenant just up & moved out in the middle of the night.
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Mary M.
Rental Property Investor · Portland OR · Member since 2018 · 2k+ posts · 3k+ votes
7y
Lots and lots of folks have chickens nowadays. They are a really popular pet/animal. I dont think they can do much damage as long as they stay in their area and not allowed out in the garden. Of course if the tenants are not up on chicken management they wont last long anyway.
Perhaps have a pet addendum that lays (no pun intended) out your criteria - ie: they need to live in a fully fenced enclosure and they are not allowed in X areas.
I have not found chickens to be a gateway to more "extreme" animals. YMMV.
If you feel the need to do a deposit, I would maybe do a refundable deposit. I find that doing non refundable deposits tend to backfire - people think they already paid for the damage so they dont really take a much care as they would if they have $$ on the line (good ole self interest ;))
Please post pics if you get them ! :)
2 Reply
Andrew Angerer
Rental Property Investor · Dayton, OH · Member since 2018 · 234 posts · 183 votes
7y
The city I live in, Kettering Ohio, is super suburban and does not have many houses that lie on more than half an acre. However, the city passed an ordnance allowing people to own chickens on their property. A firefighter buddy of mine recently responded to a smell of smoke, to find a room with a window open to allow the chickens to come in and out as they please (they built a nice staircase for them) Needless to say this is an extreme case, but just be prepared for the worse with chickens and tenants.
Good luck with your investing!
0 Reply
Pat JacksonPro Member
Rental Property Investor · Reno, NV · Member since 2017 · 284 posts · 137 votes
7y
Oh totally do it! Work out where you get eggs as part of the rent 😀. They’ll likely also garden, so definitely try for other produce as well. Being serious, ask to see pictures of their current chicken setup (if they have one). That will likely tell you if you want more or less the same on your land.
1 Reply
Amy Thatcher
Sarasota, FL · Member since 2018 · 14 posts · 7 votes
7y
It sounds like the neighborhood is not going to have any issue with the chickens. Talk with the tenants about their chicken plans (If they start with peeps they will need to be inside under a light for a few weeks). If they have a safe spot for them to roost and they keep it to a small number there is not much work involved. Plus your grass gets tilled and fertilized and the bug population stays down! Cluck it!
2 Reply
Thomas S.
Member since 2016 · 13k+ posts · 12k+ votes
7y
@Alyssa K.
"but he isn’t ready to budge just yet."
If you want to try to motivate your neighbour to sell put in a complaint to your local building inspector. Most townships have standards for upkeep of a property and would give him notice to comply. The extra pressure could motivate him to sell if he is already overwhelmed. Report it every time it gets over growen.
You need to require your tennat to pen the chickens. Any area they are allow to be in will be down to bare dirt in short order.
0 Reply
Dennis M.
Rental Property Investor · Erie, PA · Member since 2018 · 6k+ posts · 9k+ votes
7y
Sounds like little house on the prairie but Wait till a chicken gets loose (as they always do ) and stumbles out in traffic ( as they often do) . Somebody swerves to miss the chicken and rolls their car . Guess who’s insurance will be sued and who will be liable for the fatality ? Hint: it won’t be the chicken man the lawyers go after . Dumb idea don’t allow it . Chicks need heat in the winter to survive and if a hen is cold it won’t lay eggs . Often owners around here let the chickens free range aka roam the area including the road ..don’t be surprised if they are brought indoors in your place . Chickens are really Hard on property and nothing I mean nothing smells worse than wet chicken poop ..but I’d guess you have little knowledge of farm life and raising chicken
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Richard Lovering
Rental Property Investor · Hollis, NH · Member since 2018 · 108 posts · 36 votes
7y
I've raised chickens. While they provide some great benefits like eggs, little to no tick or insect activity and great for kids to learn about animals they have some very distinct downsides. They attract predators, they SMELL (even when bedding is properly changed out) and they crap EVERYWHERE! It will be stepped in and end up inside your house. They only way I'd keep them again is if they stayed in a barn with other animals. Not a great backyard pet (unless you only have 2-3).
Good luck!
0 Reply
Alyssa K.
OP
Member since 2018 · 156 posts · 106 votes
7y
@Thomas S. The issue is this home is out of city limits and in a neighborhood with no HOA. Last I looked into doing this, they city couldn’t do anything because the house is outside their jurisdiction. Definitely worth looking into again though. He’s got poison ivy growing up the side of his house up into the roof, so I’ve been trying to see if that could be considered a health hazard, as there are many children in the neighborhood.
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Wesley W.
Rental Property Investor · The Vampire State · Member since 2013 · 2k+ posts · 2k+ votes
7y
@Alyssa K. I've been following this thread with morbid curiosity. I personally think you are borrowing trouble by entertaining acceptance of this applicant. Surely there are other prospects out there whose tenancy would not be nearly as complicated or worrisome. Seems like a lot could go wrong here.
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