How to handle pets in your rental?

Question

What’s the best way to go about having pets in your rentals? We’re purchasing a home with a basement apartment that we plan to rent. I’m not entirely opposed to allowing pets but I want to be able to regulate it somehow. We’ve had planned on allowing 1 pet and charging a $35/month pet fee but many people are asking about multiple pets. Do I charge per pet or put a hard limit on one?

Bryson Gilbert · Answer

@Nathan G. Thanks for commenting. That’s extremely helpful!

Brian Ploszay · Answer

I would not allow dogs of any size, if you are living there. You may end up hearing them too much. Deny multiple pets. Cats are usually fine as long as they make it in the litter box.

Matt M. · Answer

@Bryson Gilbert

I handle pets one way, no way. Everyone claims they are a responsible pet owner. I call BS. I’ve seen and smelled so much over the years. No thanks, take your pets and their stink to someone else’s property

Bryson Gilbert · Answer

Thanks everyone!

Rick Imby · Answer

I have had huge issues with cat pee. The tenant often does not even know their cat doesn't make it to the cat box.

Thomas S. · Answer

You are probably right about a different culture. I see most cellar dwelers as welfare, students and low paid service industry workers.

Nathan Gesner · Answer

I have basement apartments and the vast majority of the tenants are single, professional, and quiet. They work, they go home and read or watch TV, or they go out to hang with friends/family. Looking back, I can't remember a single basement dweller that was a problem. Different cultures, I guess.

Thomas S. · Answer

@Nathan G.

The underlying problem is that this tenant is going to be a cellar dweller. There is no way this is going to be a quality tenant meaning high risk. High credit score, solid job history, highly unlikley otherwise they would not be renting a basement appartment. These types of tenants are inherently irresponsible and should never be trusted to be responsible pet owners. They are the type of tenant that will bring a pet into a unit that does not allow pets.

James Wise · Answer

We charge $25/mo per pet & allow two pets with some vicious breed restrictions. 1st person you want to talk to is your insurance agent so they can tell you which breeds will be a problem with your home owners insurance.

Nathan Gesner · Answer

Limit it to one pet and keep them under a certain size. Avoid cats because the odor is very difficult to get rid of if the Tenant doesn't care for them properly. Dogs can chew trim, scratch doors, or tear up carpet but your risk is reduced if they have mature, smaller dogs (under 30 pounds). I recommend you charge a significant increase to the deposit ($300 - $500) and then an increase to the monthly rent. $35 a month only adds up to $420 in one year which wouldn't cover a lot of damages but it will help on top of their deposit.

The better the tenant, the lower the risk. Good renters with high credit scores and solid job history tend to have well-behaved pets and take care of any damages they cause. Higher-risk tenants have poorly behaved animals that can destroy a rental. High-risk tenants also seem to be enamored with large, dangerous breeds. The better you screen, the fewer problems you will have.

By the way, I'm managing about 350 rentals and about half accept pets. I haven't had a pet cause more than $1,000 in damages in years.

How to handle pets in your rental?

How to handle pets in your rental?

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