Would you allow pets at this rental?

Question

My new rental has (brand new) carpet in the two bedrooms, and tile in the rest of the house. This is the first rental I've had with carpet and I'm not sure if I should allow cats or dogs. I was thinking of allowing one cat or dog instead of banning them because the house has some other drawbacks and I would like to attract more people. Is this a good idea and how much of a pet deposit would you charge in this situation, with the carpeting? (I've been charging $100 per pet at the other houses).

Will Browm · Answer

I charge a pet fee (not deposit), and $25 per pet extra.  I visited my tenants former home and it was clean as a hospital with no dog smell.  5 months in my house and all is good.  Extra money for nothing.  I reiterate that a current home inspection is most important.

Steve Babiak · Answer

If you make something non-refundable, don't call it a deposit as that implies that it can be returned; just call it a fee if it is non-refundable.

Somebody managing lots of properties and getting advice from attorneys should already have been given that advice from those attorneys IMO.

Account Closed · Answer

I would never allow any pets in any of my investment properties. Yes, you can make a little extra money, and yes you're cutting off a portion of your market by disallowing them, but you're protecting your investment. Not only does it cost money to have the carpet cleaned or replaced, it takes time as well that could be spent in better revenue-generating ways.

Cat urine crystallizes, it stays there forever until you rip the carpet out.

Kyle J. · Answer

Everyone has their own pet policy. Some don't allow them at all, some do with a refundable pet deposit, and some do with a non-refundable pet fee or rent.

What I suggest for you is - if you decide to allow them - check around your local market to see what the average pet deposit is. A $100 pet deposit is way too low, in my opinion. The norm in my local market is to charge a $500 refundable pet deposit.

I generally don't allow pets, but I have one rental where I do and on that one I charged a $500 deposit.

Eric Blackford · Answer

I recommend allowing dogs under 25 pounds and over 3 years old. And no cats at all.

David B. · Answer

My first thought is No.

Then again it depends on how strict your screening process is outside of allowing pets.  That will determine your quality of tenant.

Jon Klaus · Answer

New carpet? No.

Unless you get $30 per monh for the first pet and $15 per month for each additional pet.

How much is the rent?

Scott W. · Answer

if refundable  (which i like to do in order to motivate the tenants to keep the place clean upon turnover) don't call it the "pet" deposit - just call it an extra refundable deposit.

you have just increased your security deposit to cover everything & anything.

Andrea M. · Answer

Question: I would allow a pet, I typically charge a pet rent of $25.00 in addition to the rent and upon approval of the pet and pet documents.

Philip Winburn · Answer

Our firm manages over 400 properties. We allow pets on a case by case basis. Allowing only smaller and or older pets. We never alow breeds with aggressive reputations.

We usually charge a $250 non-refundable deposit for the first pet $300 for the seond and $350 for the third. We never alow more than three pets.

We make the deposit non-refundable on the advice of our attorney. She sees the potential for disputes over deductions from deposit based on the cause of the damage. Was the damage caused by the pet or not? Check your state and local laws regarding deposits.

Philip Winburn

Would you allow pets at this rental?

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