Owning a pet-friendly rental space can help bring in extra income while also pleasing tenants. However, you might want to set a boundary on how many pets you will allow in a space to maintain a safe environment and lower the risk for potential damage. Here are six guidelines to help you determine how many furry friends your tenants can bring into their new homes.
Research Local Laws
You might want to check state laws before making any big decisions involving your rental property. Pet ownership laws vary by state and city, so it’s vital to do your research or consult with an attorney. If the rental property is located in a rural area, there probably aren’t laws on the number of pets people can own. However, laws might be stricter in urban and suburban communities. Of course, since you own the property, your pet policy can be more restrictive if needed. Remember that you can’t allow more pets on the property than what is accepted by law as well.
Check with Your HOA and Insurance Company
If you are a homeowner’s association member, consult whether there are any restrictions on keeping pets. Consulting the HOA policy will help determine what to include in your pet policy because you are obligated to follow certain rules as a member. You should also contact your insurance agent to discuss coverage and if there are any disclaimers when renting to tenants with pets. For instance, it’s common for insurance companies and HOAs to have restrictions on certain breeds and weights for dogs.
Consider the Size of Your Property
As a good rule of thumb, the smaller the living space, the fewer animals you should allow. Too many dogs or cats in a small apartment could lead to excessive noise and musty odors. The risk of property damage also increases when there are more animals in a space. Even though the size of a space will impact how many pets you allow, it always helps to be proactive and avoid potential damage by making the rental pet-friendly. Instead of installing carpet, opt for more durable flooring options that are more resistant to stains and odors like linoleum, vinyl, or hardwood. You can also designate a “pet potty” area on the property and provide trash bins and plastic bags.
Choose the Types of Pet
Many apartment communities have restrictions on the type of animals allowed. The type of pets you allow could also influence the number of pets tenants can keep. For example, you may feel more comfortable moving in a tenant who owns a small goldfish, a hermit crab, and a kitten than the tenant with two large puppies. It’s common for pet-friendly communities to have breed restrictions for dogs like pit bulls, Rottweilers, and German shepherds, but you don’t necessarily have to follow suit. Breed restrictions vary by insurance so it’s important to note which breeds you will accept in your lease. Consider specifying if you allow fish, birds, reptiles, rabbits, and other popular pets in your lease as well.
Create Size Guidelines
Landlords who allow dogs typically use size restrictions as well. For example, some landlords only allow small dogs under 20 pounds while others are comfortable renting to tenants with dogs under 60 pounds. Regardless of your decision, detail the rules, expectations, and consequences of your pet policy in your lease. Depending on your local laws, you can include the cost for a pet deposit and pet rent as well.
Require Renters Insurance
Whether you allow pets or not, it’s always a great choice to require renters insurance if your state allows it. You don’t want to be liable for injuries or damage caused by a tenant’s pet, so it’s wise to make renters insurance mandatory. Be sure your tenants’ policy covers dog bites and other injuries that could potentially happen on the property.
Reasons to Allow Pets
Although having a pet-friendly rental property may seem risky or intimating, there are definitely plenty of pros including:
- Lease renewals and longer leases
- Extra income
- Tenant satisfaction
- Help pets avoid abandonment and being sent to shelters
- Larger pool of potential tenants
Service Animals
Landlords must abide by the Fair Housing Act, which notes that landlords must allow service animals. A service animal is defined as dogs that are “trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of an individual with a disability.” However, there is a gray area about assistant or emotional support animals which can include cats, dogs, and other companion animals. Generally, when a potential renter gives you a signed letter stating their disability and that their pet helps them, the FHA states that you need to make a “reasonable accommodation” for the animal. As always, do your research and/or consult with a lawyer to learn more about the Fair Housing Act and how to accommodate tenants who have service or emotional support animals.
There isn’t a one-size-fits-all answer for how any pets you should allow in a rental property. Remember to do your research before making a final decision. Also be clear about any pet policies and restrictions in the lease. If you generate a lease with Apartments.com, you can customize the agreement to express whatever policy you decide upon. Keep in mind that being pet-friendly has a lot of advantages — besides who doesn’t want to see an adorable puppy walking around the community?
