Pets for rental property

[Maneesh Joshi]

Hello All, I am considering allowing dogs for my rental property in Philadelphia.  Even though I am hesitant to do so I feel like it will open up the tenant pool.  I am planning on having discretion on what types of dogs I will allow.  What is everyone's experience with allowing dogs?  Are there particular ones you wont allow(big, small, certain breeds)? 

Also, do you find it better to have an upfront pet fee or a monthly pet rent?

Thanks In advance!

[Steve Babiak]

Originally posted by @Karl B.:

Hello. Contact your property insurance company. They may have a list of breeds that are not allowed and would void your property insurance (those 'outlawed' dogs will be the baseline for breeds you don't accept). 

Monthly pet rent is the way to go and you can have a pet security deposit fee (refundable or not - your choice) as well. 

Pennsylvania courts have ruled on what the maximum deposit money can be - a total of two months of rent in the first year and one month's worth after that. So don't call it a deposit if making a one time charge at move in.