The number of pet owners increases. This influx in pet ownership has even led to more businesses catering to pets nowadays. You can also observe that this trend extending to rental accommodations that welcome tenants with pets.
Landlords must, therefore, consider adjusting to this trend and be open to offering a pet-friendly rental unit. Having an open pet policy contributes to a higher income and gaining more prospective tenants. But landlords also need to perform a meticulous pet screening to protect their rentals from damage.
If you don’t have a pet screening system in place, you can end up dealing with noise complaints, injuries from aggressive pets, and property damage. Creating a pet screening procedure is vital when you plan to be a pet-friendly rental space.
What is a Pet Screening?
Before you allow a renter to reside in your rental property, you always assess if they have a good tenant history. This should, therefore, also applies to pets. You want to ensure that their pets are disciplined and that their health condition, behavior, and personality meets your standard. You can screen the pets or hire a professional to do it on your behalf. You can screen pets through in-person meetings, requesting a submission of application forms, and health screening documents.
What are the Pros of Accepting Pets in Your Rental?
Here are some of the benefits of renting to a tenant with a pet:
- Renters Tend to Stay Long-term - Pet owners generally want to live in a rental that offers comfort and familiarity to their pets. What’s more, given the challenges of finding pet-friendly spaces in
Florida, they’re not likely to risk moving.
- Plenty of Potential Renters - Since you’re open to accepting pet owners, you expand your market reach and have more high-quality residents to select from. Not all rental properties allow tenants with pets so this can be a great advantage to you.
- Draw in Responsible Tenants - Having a pet means being used to performing daily tasks. Owning aper can also be a major financial undertake. As such, it’s reasonable to expect pet owners to carry out their tenant duties consistently given their level of responsibility.
Pet Screening Application
You can start by crafting a questionnaire to learn the essential information about pets. Ask questions like:
- What kind of pet and breed does the tenant have?
- How much does the pet weigh?
- How old is the pet?
- How long did the tenant own the pet?
- Can they submit proof of pet vaccines?
- Did the pet undergo house training?
- Are there any issues with pet behavior?
You want to learn the following information from the tenant who owns a dog:
- Plans to spay or neuter
- Attendance of dog training class or plans
- Familiarity of the dog in wearing a leash
- Pet cleanup guarantee from the tenant
You want to learn the following information from the tenant who owns a cat:
- Plans to spay or neuter
- Familiarity of cats in using a litter box
- Cat registration and ID
Once the application is submitted by the potential renter, you can proceed with a face-to-face meeting
Meeting In-Person
Though the questionnaire reveals vital information, nothing can replace an in-person pet screening. For one thing, you need to verify if the information provided is accurate. Note that while conducting an in-person screening, you should manage your expectations.
Pets may appear nervous when a stranger interacts with them. If you lack experience in screening pets, you can opt to engage a third-party service provider to complete the pet screening procedure.
What Pet Clauses Should Be Part of the Leasing Agreement?
Landlords should remember to include pet policies and clauses with the lease or rental agreement. Make sure it has the following information:
- Type of screening applied
- Types of pets allowed
- Fees and deposits that must be paid per pet policy
What Kind of Pets Require Screening and How Often Should the Screening be Done?
Ensure that you screen all types of pets to avoid any discrimination issues. What’s more, changes can also occur throughout the year so requiring pet owners to submit updated documents when they
renew the lease is a good practice. Screening pets when a renter renews is typically simpler in comparison to the initial pet screening. But monitoring the pet’s health is vital to avoid any issues later on.
What Are the Guidelines on Service and Emotional Support Animals?
Each state has its own laws when it comes to service animals and their rights. You can request potential tenants to get a letter from a health professional when they’re bringing in a service animal. Note that you can’t access the renter’s medical records or require a pet deposit. If damage happens outside wear and tear, you can, however, ask the tenant to pay for repairs.
How to Handle Pet Fees and Deposits?
Screening pets requires costs and collecting pet fees. However, service animals are exempted from them. Make sure to be aware
of what the local laws are before stating any pet fees, pet rent, or pet deposit in your
lease agreement.
In general, three types of pet fees can be charged:
- A one-time fee is mostly non-refundable and can be paid at the start of the lease. The entire tenancy period can be covered but some states ban non-refundable fees. Check on your local and state laws before asking a renter to pay a one-time fee.
- Monthly pet rent is an extra fee paid aside from the regular rent paid to the landlord.
- A pet deposit is collected separately from the
security deposit a landlord requires at the beginning of the lease. The deposit can be refunded to the renter if the rental continues to be in an outstanding condition.
Bottom Line
To combat the risks of accepting pets, develop a solid pet screening procedure. If you’re looking for a
trusted property manager to handle your pet-friendly rental, contact Advantage Realty Services today!
