Allowing Pets?

Discussion in 'Landlord & Rental Property Questions' started by LindaKay, May 5, 2014.

  1. Leeroy_MY

    Leeroy_MY Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    May 2014
    Posts:
    69
    Likes Received:
    1
    IMO, it is a valid business move to allow pets in your residential properties. I'm sure tenants are relatively agreeable to pet deposits or having damages caused by pets deducted from their security deposits when they decide to move out. You should always make sure to include clauses in the agreement to make tenants liable for damages caused to the property anyway, so that's basically included.

    But the best argument would be this: any damages caused by pets would be mere cosmetic damages anyway (unless you allow them to keep elephants) so it will be relatively cheap to repair. Heck, you might even make a profit off the pet deposit!
     
  2. Peninha

    Peninha Senior Investor

    Joined:
    Apr 2014
    Posts:
    602
    Likes Received:
    1
    That's not exactly the case, the tenant living above my parents had so many dogs and cars doing their needs on the floor that health services had to be called in... Anything can happen really.
     
  3. Kate

    Kate Senior Investor

    Joined:
    Apr 2014
    Posts:
    515
    Likes Received:
    5
    This would have to be specified in the lease agreement... I've never seen one that allowed unlimited pets. It's usually stated like "no more than two pets" or something. I can't imagine any lease agreement allowing unlimited pets... and for the reason you just gave.

    Uh, why didn't they let the dogs out or buy litter boxes for the cats? (Not a real question, I know you don't know the answer but there will always be people who live in squalor and landlords need to know the wording to avoid problems.)
     
  4. Kate

    Kate Senior Investor

    Joined:
    Apr 2014
    Posts:
    515
    Likes Received:
    5
    I agree, Leeroy... it's usually so difficult to find a rental that allows pets that the pet owners are more than happy to pay the fees and sign the papers saying they understand they're responsible for property damage the pet caused.
     
  5. thelastsurrealist

    thelastsurrealist Guest

    Joined:
    May 2014
    Posts:
    6
    Likes Received:
    0
    My landlord has been pretty lenient with the number of pets allowed in my house. Granted, the house is fairly sizeable, and I live with two roommates. But, 3 cats running free inside, plus an assortment of caged reptiles and fish all add up. Fortunately, he is reasonable because the only animals with the potential to do any damage is the cats, and on the whole they've been pretty well behaved. Before moving in, we paid extra in our safety deposit towards the keeping of the animals in the house, presumably in case any damage would be done. No doubt, animals are a liability to some extent. But, I think in most cases, people should be able to have a pet in the place they are renting.
     
  6. sanders89

    sanders89 Member

    Joined:
    May 2014
    Posts:
    20
    Likes Received:
    0
    I think it is a good idea, people love their pets, and it deters a lot of people from applying if they can't keep their pet there. I think that you should always have them pay a deposit for their animal, and if the animal does any damage, keep the deposit. That's what it's for. I don't know if I would allow large dogs though? For me, I would allow small dogs and all cats.
     
  7. ebargan

    ebargan Member

    Joined:
    May 2014
    Posts:
    5
    Likes Received:
    0
    I can pretty much confirm what several people have said here by saying that I have no problem allowing my tenants to have pets, on the condition that this is factored into their security deposit (in some cases I've required a "pet deposit" separate from the general security deposit) and that there is an understanding that any pet related damages will lead to the forfeiture of that deposit. There's a fair degree of competition for tenants in my area because a lot of people choose to rent due to high property costs and I have occasionally gotten the sense that allowing pets has given me a little bit of an edge in drawing in suitable tenants.
     
  8. JackHark

    JackHark Active Member

    Joined:
    May 2014
    Posts:
    37
    Likes Received:
    0
    The people who rented the place before I did had cats that cause the house to be infested by fleas. My roommate got bitten like 25 times and had to go to the doctor!
    I think that pets are a no go, not worth expanding your potential renter group.
     
  9. Gelsemium

    Gelsemium Senior Investor

    Joined:
    Apr 2014
    Posts:
    937
    Likes Received:
    2
    The more people I know and the more I read the more I agree with you Jack, unless there is a backyard or a outdoor space I would not allow pets inside my property, no way.
     
  10. Silver

    Silver Active Member

    Joined:
    May 2014
    Posts:
    28
    Likes Received:
    0
    Pets are too much of a hassle in a rental unit. If it's a house with a yard, sure, let you dog run free. But if we're talking about an apartment complex, no.
     

Share This Page