Tenant's Dog running loosely around the back yard-Multi Unit

Chicago, Illinois
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Tenant's Dog running loosely around the back yard-Multi Unit

Mario Morales
Member since 2020 · 239 posts · 104 votes

I have two nice tenants who let their dog run around in the backyard. Its a golden retriever. My spidy-senses tell me that the new tenant moving in will complain that when she wants to come in throught the backyard (thats where the parking lot is), that she has to wait for the dog to be held by the owners. The dog is kind but big and jumps on people. Should I address it now and tell the dog owners that this might be an issue or should I wait until it is? It happened before in another building, where the tenant let the cat run around and it scared the other tenants. 

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Alecia LovelessPro Member
Member since 2019 · 3k+ posts · 2k+ votes
2y

@Mario Morales I allow pets and have a pet waiver that I have tenants with pets sign when they move in. One of the expectations is that all pets that go outside will be on leashes at all times for just this reason.

If they want to exercise their dog they can go to a dog park or buy a 30 foot horse lunge line to allow the dog freedom to run on while maintaining control of it at all times.

I would address this problem now before safety becomes an issue with your new tenant.

If they want total use of the yard to themselves for their dog then they need to rent a single family home with a fenced in yard.

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  • Alecia LovelessPro Member
    Member since 2019 · 3k+ posts · 2k+ votes
    2y

    @Mario Morales I allow pets and have a pet waiver that I have tenants with pets sign when they move in. One of the expectations is that all pets that go outside will be on leashes at all times for just this reason.

    If they want to exercise their dog they can go to a dog park or buy a 30 foot horse lunge line to allow the dog freedom to run on while maintaining control of it at all times.

    I would address this problem now before safety becomes an issue with your new tenant.

    If they want total use of the yard to themselves for their dog then they need to rent a single family home with a fenced in yard.

    3Reply
  • Bob S.
    Real Estate Consultant · Cleveland · Member since 2020 · 6k+ posts · 3k+ votes
    2y
    Quote from @Mario Morales:

    I have two nice tenants who let their dog run around in the backyard. Its a golden retriever. My spidy-senses tell me that the new tenant moving in will complain that when she wants to come in throught the backyard (thats where the parking lot is), that she has to wait for the dog to be held by the owners. The dog is kind but big and jumps on people. Should I address it now and tell the dog owners that this might be an issue or should I wait until it is? It happened before in another building, where the tenant let the cat run around and it scared the other tenants. 


     Ask the tenant if they mind, after all who would mind a lab ,,, 

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  • Andrew FreedBusiness Member
    Investor · Worcester, MA · Member since 2020 · 1k+ posts · 1k+ votes
    2y

    @Mario Morales I think @Bob S. has a great point. Ask the incoming tenants first before making an issue out of something that may be nothing. I have multifamilies with people with dogs and an enclosed yard and I've never had to address this personally. They tend to figure it out. 

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  • Patricia Steiner
    Real Estate Broker · Hyde Park Tampa, FL · Member since 2019 · 2k+ posts · 3k+ votes
    2y

    Are you kidding me!!??  Should you address the issue now?!!!  It needed to be addressed in the lease - before they moved in.  And yes, the 'nice tenants' who aren't so nice and respectful to the other tenants by taking over the backyard as a dog park - need to be told that the dog must be within their control at all times.  Yes, this means that if the dog is in the backyard, they need to be in the backyard and have their dog on a leash so others are not 'shocked and awed' by their fur baby.  The dog isn't the problem - the tenant is.  Address the issue immediately before someone gets hurt intentionally or not.  

    Bottom line:  you cannot build and preserve wealth if you fail to mitigate risk.  

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  • Kevin Sobilo
    Realtor · Hanover Twp, PA · Member since 2018 · 3k+ posts · 3k+ votes
    2y

    @Mario Morales, its a golden retriever probably the most friendly breed there is. It takes a cold hearted person to be frustrated when a golden comes over to give you attention.

    That said, I am of a different mind than other responders. A shared back yard is just that "shared" which means those sharing it need to be respectful and tolerant of those they are sharing it with. The tenants with a dog likely in part wanted your rental because of the yard.

    Any pet addendum you have on your lease should specify that the tenant is responsible for their pet etc. I would simply have a casual conversation with them letting them know that any new tenant may not be comfortable with the dog running and jumping on them and to talk to them directly about it when they see them so there are no issues. They will work this out as they are the people sharing the space.

    Let's keep in mind we are talking about a shared space and both users of that space in your scenario were using the space appropriate and as intended. 

    2Reply
  • Sam YinPro Member
    Los Angeles, CA · Member since 2021 · 583 posts · 738 votes
    2y

    @Kevin Sobilo

    Wise words. Kevin is spot on.

    If the OP sees fit to no longer have a "shared" space, then erect boundaries/fences. Keep it simple. Problem solved.

    1Reply
  • Mackaylee BeachPro Member
    Real Estate Agent · Kansas City, MO · Member since 2020 · 1k+ posts · 492 votes
    2y

    It's important to address this issue promptly and ensure that the pet owner is considerate of all other tenants. It's important to remember that not everyone is fond of dogs.

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  • Jonathan R McLaughlin
    Rental Property Investor · Boston, Massachusetts (MA) · Member since 2016 · 2k+ posts · 2k+ votes
    2y

    I'm most curious about the tenant that was scared by a cat????

    1Reply
  • Mario Morales
    OP
    Member since 2020 · 239 posts · 104 votes
    2y

    Thank you all, sometimes we just need to hear it from people such as yourselves with tons of real estate and life experience. 

    0Reply
  • Gabe R. Gonzalez
    Property Manager · Chicago · Member since 2021 · 61 posts · 32 votes
    2y

    @Mario Morales I know this is old and you say the dog has a good temperament. But, you will be named in a lawsuit if anything happens with that dog and your other tenants. I've been there and done that. There's no good deed that goes unpunished, especially in property management. 

    I'd check with your insurance carrier on specific language about animals/dogs/pets. There's usually always restrictions, but that's usually for aggressive breeds. But, it doesn't hurt to know what's on your policy. 

    1Reply
  • Scott Mac
    Austin, TX · Member since 2019 · 5k+ posts · 5k+ votes
    2y

    Your renters were afraid of a cat?

    Wow!

    You must have some real timid renters in there.

    1Reply
  • Michael SmytheBusiness Member
    Real Estate Agent · Metro Detroit · Member since 2023 · 4k+ posts · 3k+ votes
    2y

    @Mario Morales did you require the pet tenants to get renters insurance with dog bite coverage and add you as additionally insured?

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