Pet Screening (?)

[Jonathan Warner]

I’d love feedback from experienced landlords on how you think about pet policy as a leasing strategy.

I’m trying to get more systematic about whether allowing pets is actually worth it, and if so, under what conditions.

What I’m really trying to figure out is:

• - Should I allow pets at all?
• - If yes, how many is reasonable?
• - What size limits make sense?
• - Are there certain types of pets you’d never allow?
• - What guardrails need to be in place before approving them?

I understand that allowing pets probably expands the tenant pool and may reduce lease-up time, but obviously it can also bring more wear and tear, more risk, and more gray-area judgment calls. So I’m trying to think about this the right way as an owner.

A few things I’d especially like input on:

1. - Do you allow pets at all? Why or why not?
2. - If you do, what are your limits on number, size, breed/type, age, etc.?
3. - Do you differentiate between cats and dogs?
4. - What fees or rent premiums do you require to make it worth the added risk?
5. - What screening guardrails do you insist on before approving pets?
6. - At what point does a shorter lease-up period justify the added messiness that can come with pet-friendly leasing?
7. - Have you found that allowing pets improves results enough to justify the downside, or has it mostly created problems?

I’m trying to build a repeatable policy rather than make these decisions ad hoc every time. Thanks!

[G. Brian Davis]

This is always a controversial topic, but in my experience, pets can be a net positive if you structure it right. I allowed them with clear guardrails usually 1–2 pets, reasonable size limits, and a bit more caution around dogs than cats. The biggest thing has been strong screening, solid lease language, and charging a pet fee plus monthly pet rent to offset the added wear.