Owning an apartment building or any rental unit means you’re the boss and that you make the rules. However, many landlords can sometimes be confused about which rules are really acceptable, or which rules can come off as harsh as the Nazi’s. However, when it comes to allowing pets in the place, it may be better off for you to be as strict as possible in saying no.
There are many reasons why pets should be an absolute no-no in your property. Below are some of them:
They pee and poo all over the place!
There’s really no telling whether your tenant will actually take good care of his or her pet. Chances are, they won’t even bother to properly train their dog, meaning you stand the chance of having all sorts of stains on your flooring and furniture. What’s more, some of the not-so-responsible pet owners will most likely just leave the feces and urine lying in the pathway, garage, or even on the stairwell, which will cause an absolute disturbance to your other tenants, not to mention hygiene issues.
The smell can be unbearable!
Your tenants want to wake up to a place that either smells of flowers and fresh morning air or to the scent of newly cooked waffles – but definitely not to the smell of cat urine! You run the risk of your property smelling awful if you allow even a single tenant to keep a pet, especially a cat. Plus, smells aren’t easy to mask, you will end up having to shell out a lot of to replace the carpets
They leave scratches
You hand over your keys to your new tenant, with the fully furnished unit all spotless and new. The next thing you know, that lovely wooden chair you bought at Home Depot is filled with scratches made by either cats or dogs. Pets can definitely damage your furniture, making them look worn out and less appealing to your next tenant. Not to mention cause you some undue stress.
Health hazard to the kids
Let’s face it, no matter how friendly dogs can get, you just can’t get rid of those sharp canines that they have. Pets are accidents that are just waiting to happen. You will really dread the day when an angry father calls you up to complain that their next door neighbor’s dog bit their child. And although this is the responsibility of your tenant, there’s just no avoiding the fact that as a landlord, you are still held responsible. Not only are kids in danger of being bitten by animals, adults are too.
The noise
Imagine you are sleeping ever so soundly when all of a sudden you are awoken by the sound of incessant barking. What’s worse is that the barking encourages other dogs around the neighborhood to bark as well, causing such a nerve wracking ruckus.
Some owners just can’t control their pets. If you want to have a good nights rest, by avoiding telephone complaints and city violations for noise complaints, then you’re better off just banning dogs and other pets in the first place.
The chance of escape
How many times have lost dogs, cats, and even snakes been reported? It would really be a nasty scene having to inform your other tenants that the occupant at unit 1A has just lost their pet snake. Even gerbils or cute rodents can be such a hassle if they are lost since they can dig holes under your walls or flooring, or eat up your wiring.
All of the reasons above depict just how disadvantageous it is for you to allow your tenants to have pets. No matter how cute these furry little things might be, they will just cause you a lot of undue headache, added cost, and property damage which you are much better off without.
Also, don’t worry about having to implement these rules, some tenants actually prefer not having pets at all so if your unit is characterized by your “no pet” policy, then chances are you’ll even get more tenants than expected.
It would be more effective to not rent to irresponsible people. Pets don’t destroy property. Thoughtless pet owners do.
Of course it will be more effective to rent to responsible people. That’s a given. If I have 2 responsible people and one has a pet. I’m picking the one without a pet.
I’ve provided ample evidence for my decision. What are your reasons for allowing tenants to have pets in your properties?
Even though there’s plenty of responsible pet owners who keep a spotless home, those idiot renters that don’t drive the policy. Tough nuts to you if you’re a renter, it’s just the way it is.
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I have to admit (and you won’t like it) that I got my cat and my pug when I was renting and was not allowed to have any pets. And my pug did poop and pee all over the place because he was only 4 months old, not housebroken. We lived like this for about 4 months and the bought our first place. I did not even feel bad about it because the place was ghetto-ish anyway. If it would be a nice place, with great neighbors and nice neighborhood, I probably would feel different about it.
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Ouch.. I know your landlord hated you once he found out you had a pet. Did you get you full security deposit back?
YFS recently posted..Don’t Die The Wrong Way!
YFS recently posted..Don’t Die The Wrong Way!
Well, I agree to a point but I must say we allow our tenants to have pets, and here’s why:
We want them to be very happy and stay a long time.
That said, we do require a $500. pet fee upfront (per pet) in addition to their security deposit. Not a pet deposit, but a fee.. never to be seen again as I tell them.
We have on occasion had damages that ate up the fee plus all the deposit.. but rarely over.
And we’ve had happy tenants stay in our homes for 5+ years, which saves us a ton of money!
dee
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Great job on the 500 dollar fee! I understand you want you tenants to stay a long time but have you considered multi-year leases?
YFS recently posted..Don’t Die The Wrong Way!
YFS recently posted..Don’t Die The Wrong Way!
I had 2 small dogs when I rented and I was very conscientious about keeping the house clean – especially the floors. I also put down a separate pet deposit in case the carpet needed to be replaced. When it came time to move out, the landlord thought I’d gotten rid of the dogs because there was no evidence whatsoever.
I understand that most people aren’t as picky as I am, and I can understand why landlords are hesitant to allow renters with pets. But it does make it awfully hard for pet owners to find a place. Personally, I think landlords should visit the current homes of potential renters who want to bring pets. If the place they have reeks of pee, tell them no! If it’s clean and the pets are well taken care of, maybe consider letting them bring the pets as long as they pay a separate deposit.
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I understand your point of view but this is a case of a few bad apples ruining the bunch. It would be too much hassle to go to a possible tenants prior home to view how they are living. Just like investing prior results do not predict future success. Meaning, how they treated the old place has nothing to do with how they will treat your place. For me it’s just not worth the hassle.
Im always disappointed to see these type of posts discriminating against pet owners. Currently my husband & I are traveling long term but once we get back to the states we want to buy a dog but what holds us back a bit is worrying we won’t be able to find a rentable unit that allows pets. I’ve found while traveling, it’s really just the US that has this issue. Australia, Europe & even Asian countries seem to be better with this. They just require professional cleaners at the renters expense once they vacate. Makes most sense to me.
Most apartments will cater to tenants with pets. As a landlord who rents out single family homes I just can’t allow them in my units because of the additional hassle. Nothing against pet owners. I own a dog myself and unfortunately, I’m in the process of replacing my carpet with hardwood floors. It took me forever to get the smell out and let me tell you professional cleaning wasn’t the trick.
I have a Bichon Poodle. What kind of dog are you thinking of getting?
YFS recently posted..6 Reasons Why You Should Never Let Your Tenant Have A Pet!
YFS recently posted..6 Reasons Why You Should Never Let Your Tenant Have A Pet!
Allowing pet is a tricky decision as a landlord. I decided to allow a small dog because I could not find a decent tenant. I hope it works out for me. I asked the renter to clean the carpet before they leave. I guess I have to perform a thorough inspection of the house once they leave…
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The problem is that pet pee sinks to the bottom of the carpet thus any carpet cleaning isn’t deep enough to get the smell out. I suggest your use a black light against the carpets when they leave to find the pee stains.
YFS recently posted..6 Reasons Why You Should Never Let Your Tenant Have A Pet!
YFS recently posted..6 Reasons Why You Should Never Let Your Tenant Have A Pet!
This is a tough one because I’m all for pet owners having good options for apartments, but I also cringe at the thought of ever allowing pets in one of my rental units (if I owned any, although I hope to within the next few years).
I’d probably only do so with a hefty pet deposit and a separate lease rider spelling out additional pet-related details. But if it were a multi-family building, it would have to be a ‘no’ simply for the comfort and satisfaction of all tenants (but I would certainly cry a bit for all those cute cats & dogs…haha!).
I understand your point of view but when it comes to maintenance, cleaning up after a pet is torture! Plan on replacing your carpets a lot and paying extra to clean the place.
YFS recently posted..6 Reasons Why You Should Never Let Your Tenant Have A Pet!
YFS recently posted..6 Reasons Why You Should Never Let Your Tenant Have A Pet!
I never allowed pets when i owned rental property. I just found them to bring too many issues. Plus, pet owners deserve to have a completely tolerant environment. For a multi-family unit situation, it just was not possible.
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Exactly, multi-family units are already tough to deal with now add a yappy dog in the mix and you have tenants moving out earlier than you want.
YFS recently posted..6 Reasons Why You Should Never Let Your Tenant Have A Pet!
YFS recently posted..6 Reasons Why You Should Never Let Your Tenant Have A Pet!
That’s actually something we haven’t experienced yet since they have all been rented out since we bought them. I’m sure the one with the little dog is going to take some work i think the extra money we’ve been making will cover it.
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We allow pets but we also charge more for them: a pet deposit up-front and a $20/mo “pet rent” fee.
Pet owners know they have to pay extra to rent. Plus, so many renters have pets that we’ve actually changed our application from saying “Do you have any pets” to “What kind of pets do you have”
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Thank goodness the area where I have rentals pet owners are few and far between. Did you experience greater repair costs for tenants with pets over tenants without pets after the tenant moves out?
YFS recently posted..6 Reasons Why You Should Never Let Your Tenant Have A Pet!
YFS recently posted..6 Reasons Why You Should Never Let Your Tenant Have A Pet!
I was quite disappointed to see this post. It is a shame how difficult it is for a pet owner to find a home to rent. Instead of just being discriminatory against all pet owners, I think it is better to deal with it on a case by case basis. I agree that they shouldn’t be allowed to have a loud dog, but most cats are mostly problem free. I personally don’t mind putting extra money down as a pet deposit to ease the landlord’s concerns. Also, I find that pet owners often tend to be nicer and more caring people. I guess a lot depends on the suite you are trying to rent out. A furnished suite would be a bigger risk.
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Jeremy @ Modest Money recently posted..Buying A Pet – Investing In Happiness
I’m sorry but none of my rentals will ever ever have pets. Nope, not worth the clean up when they move out. Sorry, but that’s a tenant I’m not willing to deal with.
YFS recently posted..6 Reasons Why You Should Never Let Your Tenant Have A Pet!
YFS recently posted..6 Reasons Why You Should Never Let Your Tenant Have A Pet!
One of my long term tenant has a dog. I think when they leave, we probably will have to replace the carpeting.
retirebyforty recently posted..Go It Alone
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I can assure you that you will have to replace the carpets. I am in the process of replacing the carpets in my home now because of my dog. Disgusting! Take a black light to the carpets and be prepared to be scared. Thank goodness my rentals have hardwood floors.
YFS recently posted..6 Reasons Why You Should Never Let Your Tenant Have A Pet!
YFS recently posted..6 Reasons Why You Should Never Let Your Tenant Have A Pet!
Screen your tenants carefully too. I’ve seen pictures of vacated apartments that made me think that the tenants WERE animals.
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Great point. You make your money when you screen not when you evict
. Tenants aka your customers make or break your business. Pick the best one you can. Do you have any tips for screening tenants?
YFS recently posted..6 Reasons Why You Should Never Let Your Tenant Have A Pet!
YFS recently posted..6 Reasons Why You Should Never Let Your Tenant Have A Pet!
Sorry I don’t. I never got involved in the landlord thing partially for that reason
I also don’t want to be on call to fix hot water heaters at midnight.
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Money Infant recently posted..The Pros and Cons of Automatic Bill Payment
Me either.. My property manager and tenant placer has to deal with the issues
YFS recently posted..6 Reasons Why You Should Never Let Your Tenant Have A Pet!
YFS recently posted..6 Reasons Why You Should Never Let Your Tenant Have A Pet!