Smoker or Pet? Which one would you choose?

Question

Ideally, I wouldn't want either a tenant that smokes or has a pet.

But, in these uncertain times, if you had to choose one, which one would you choose?

I know smoking leaves smell on the carpets, but won't pets do that too? Or, what if you don't have any carpets- you have laminate or luxury vinyl plank? Do you have to worry about that pet or smoke smell on those surfaces too?

And, if you don't want a smoker or a pet, how do you spot a applicant that's lying about being a smoker or has a pet? Are there any tell tale signs you look for?

Joe Villeneuve · Answer

Option C: Vacancy

Joe Villeneuve · Answer

If your nose can't tell if you're talking to a smoker, I don't know what to tell you.

If you want to find out if you're talking to a pet owner, start talking about your pet.  They can't help themselves, and will start talking about theirs.  Show them a picture of your pet, and be ready for at least 5 of theirs.  How do I know this.  I own a pet myself.

Account Closed · Answer

LOL. Was I not clear about that? I do have a bad habit of saying less with more instead of more with less - sorry.

Yes, the reason I won't allow pets is because of the tenant and how I don't trust them to a) take care of the pet and b) pay me for damages and c) not create damage that can not be undone feasibly by either party, landlord or tenant (cat pee)

I also don't want the hassle of enforcement. It's easier to enforce a no pet policy than it is to enforce all the stipulations necessary when pets are allowed.

Joe Villeneuve · Answer

I once entered a property...a 1650 sf ranch...that could best be described as a 1650 sf litter box.  My REA wouldn't even go inside. The carpet squished as you walked.  I almost lost it a couple of times, but looking back that probably would have improved the smell.

Then, I rented out a duplex.  One side had a tenant (I inherited) that thought all of his many ashtrays were potpourri.  Your eyes watered on the unit next door.  The only way we rented this out was to advertise "smokers welcome".

Greg M. · Answer

I'd take an angry incontinent gorilla over a smoker.

Joe Villeneuve · Answer

I noticed you have a common thread here, as in "...the fault of the owner (tenant)...".

Trouble is, it's not the pet you rent to...the lease is signed by the tenant.

Account Closed · Answer

Smoker all day. I have some non-smoking leases and will be changing all of them to allow smoking. Makes it real easy when people want to smoke pot and people who want to smoke pot are going to smoke it - inside and not out because it is still illegal here. Because I allow smoking, I don't have to police smoking pot, and policing is exactly what it is. Good grief and whatever. I know how to open a window, clean, and paint. I have insurance if someone burns the house down. Non-smokers have plenty of other options to rent from up-tight landlords who are disgusted with the smell of smoke. Me? I get disgusted with the smell of grease and perfume - to each their own.

Pets? The problem with pets are the owners of pets, not the pets. I have a no pet policy.

And then there are cats. I love cats. I have two. I will never allow a tenant to have a cat. Never. My cats will be exiled to the outdoors the second they think they might want to mark the house. I know how to soothe a cat so they wont mark. And even then, some cats will mark no matter what. That's the problem. I am not trusting a tenant to handle all that. Cat pee does not go away - it's too acidic. Now there's a smell I don't want in my property for the next owner or occupant.

Dog pee is less acidic and dogs don't mark, they have occasional accidents - again the fault of the owner. I have one tenant that has two dogs, an inherited tenant I am making an exception for. She is a great owner and if all owners were like her, I would allow dogs.

Want a pet? Go buy your own house. Barn maybe?

Smokers? Light 'em if you got 'em.

I smoke. I have rented to non-smokers. I've been scolded by them more than once for smoking in their rental unit - lol. Whoops. Sorry. My bad. I do what I can to be courteous, but that habit is a MF.

The pic is for you Joe - lol. Hobbes and Calvin, they're brothers. Never lived a day without each other. They love me long time. They talk to me. I listen and understand. I talk back to them. They listen and understand - lol. Best cats I ever had. Don't even use the box - they go outside. I have a box, and get about one a year in it. Calvin thought he might start marking once, I set him straight on that in short order. Lucky for him, I would have made him live outside if he didn't want to see it my way. I might be able to train Calvin to use the toilet, he is fascinated with it. He knows how to open doors too, he just doesn't have the size to make it happen. Hobbes is like Clawhouser from that movie Zootopia. He is a bit fat and sweet and eats everything he can, but when it's time for the claws you had better steer clear and fast. Neither one is physco. I've had physco cats - not as much fun by a long shot. I like dogs. Other peoples dogs that is. Too needy for me. Maybe if I own a farm I will get a dog.

John Teachout · Answer

I'd take a pet over a smoker. We don't rent to anyone that smokes anything. We do allow dogs (some) but never cats. If someone smokes, they have no idea how offensive that smell is to people that don't. It's extremely difficult to rid a unit of that smell. We've done it but it's costly and time consuming. And cats can be just as bad for odors.

Diane Dono · Answer

@Joe Villeneuve lol, I TOTALLY agree!  That's why I started out with.... I don't allow pets... and answered as a hypothetical, of choices given....  Fortunately my rental is in a town that has a built in tenant base, even if I needed to rent it during this time!.... but for the times when I was looking for a tenant, I never accepted pets.... but I got a lot of great local people, with excellent jobs, asking if I'd make an exception, giving me a blow by blow of the wonderment and great manners of their pet(s).... and I'm a dog owner, a 17 year old mini-poodle, so I'm a dog fan, I understand!, lol.  So again, if I needed to expand my possible tenant pool, I'd take a pet over smoking.  At least with a pet their smell will mainly stay at the lower level of the house.  The smoke smell.... ughhhhh, would seep into every inch!! ;-)

Smoker or Pet? Which one would you choose?

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