Are you on the fence about allowing pets into your rental properties? We understand that the decision to allow furry friends can be daunting and sometimes overwhelming, but don't worry, we're here to help.
In this blog post, we'll walk you through all the reasons why implementing a pet screening process is a wise decision. We'll break it down for you, everything from the process to the benefits.
Benefits of Allowing Pets In Your Rental Unit
It is no secret that allowing pets in your rental unit can be a beneficial decision for both tenants and landlords. The potential benefits of pet-friendly rentals are numerous. Let's explore some of them:
Attract More Tenants
Allowing pets in your rental unit can help attract more tenants. It can open up your rental to potential renters who may not consider your rental property if it had pet restrictions.
Generate More Income
Many landlords charge pet-friendly tenants a pet deposit or pet rent, which can help to offset the cost of potential damage caused by pets. Additionally, pet-friendly rentals can often be rented at a premium price, resulting in more rental income for the landlord.
Tenant Retention
Pet-friendly tenants are more likely to stay in a property for longer. Many of them appreciate the fact that they won't need to worry about finding pet-friendly housing in the future. The longer a tenant stays in a rental property, the less time and money you will have to spend on vacancy and tenant turnover.
What's Pet Screening
There are hundreds of questions that revolve in your head when you make your rental unit pet-friendly. You want your tenant to have a pet that's non-violent and trained. Additionally, you also want to make sure that the pet isn't a nuisance to your other tenants. That's where pet screening comes in.
Pet screening is the process of evaluating a potential tenant's pet, it is similar to tenant screening. The pet screening process typically includes an application, proof of pet insurance, and veterinary records. Your tenant will also provide information like breed, weight, size, and age of the pet.
Benefits of Pet Screening
When you consider having a pet-friendly rental property, pet screening is a must. Pet screening can provide a lot of benefits to landlords, including:
Lower Risk of Property Damage
Tenants that have pets are more likely to take proper care of the rental. They will take preventative measures to avoid damage to your unit.
Health Risk Evaluation
It is important to evaluate the health risks associated with having a pet in your rental property. Additionally, create rules around pet ownership and ensure tenants are keeping their pets happy and healthy.
Tenant Responsibility
During pet screening, you not only need to make sure you are allowing the right type of pet but also a responsible tenant. Ask questions about their past pet ownership, and the extent of their knowledge of pet care.
Pet Screening Process
Pet screening is a thorough process. Let’s understand what exactly you can expect during the process.
Initial Pet Interview
The first step in the pet screening process is an initial pet interview. During the interview, you can ask potential tenants questions about their pet.
You can ask questions about their physical characteristics, such as breed, size, and age. You can also ask questions about their past behavior, such as if they have ever been aggressive or destructive. Pet destruction is never considered normal wear and tear.
Behavioral Assessment
It's always a good idea to do a thorough evaluation of the pet's behavior and temperament. You can ask the pet owner to bring the pet to you to observe its behavior. You can also have the pet owner provide references from a veterinarian or obedience trainer.
Vaccination Records
Vaccination records can provide important information about the animal's health. Ask the pet owner to provide vaccination records from a veterinarian or animal clinic. Additionally, if the pet is a puppy or kitten, ask for a fecal sample to be tested for parasites.
Pet Agreement
Discuss some ground rules that should be followed and establish an agreement with the pet owner. The agreement should cover topics such as where the pet is allowed in the house.
If the pet is allowed outside, if you require the tenant to have pet insurance, discuss what areas of the yard are off-limits and any other boundaries that should be established.
Asking for Pet Fees
It is recommended to ask for a pet fee when allowing pets into your rental property Here are some reasons why asking for a pet fee can be beneficial:
Covering Potential Damages
Pets can sometimes cause damages to the property such as scratches on floors, chewed furniture, or stains on carpets. Charging a pet fee helps ensure that you have funds to cover any potential repairs or replacements.
Extra Maintenance
Allowing pets in your rental property might require extra cleaning or maintenance to remove pet hair, odors, or any mess that pets may leave behind. The pet fee can help compensate for the additional effort and time required for these tasks.
Remember to check local laws and regulations regarding pet fees, as there may be restrictions on how much you can ask for or how it should be calculated.
Bottom Line
Pet screening allows landlords to assess potential risks, protect their property, and establish clear communication with tenants regarding pet-related policies. It also provides an opportunity to attract responsible pet owners and generate additional revenue.
Want to make the whole process easier? Get in touch with TE Johnson & Sons. We have the best pet screening process in place. We can also offer you services to manage your entire rental property.
