Rental to Pet Owners--Landlords

[Anonymous]

To all landlords,
Would you rent to pet owners? If you have experience renting to pet owners, could you provide me with insights of what I should be adding to the lease? And how to best protect my property.

Thanks in advance!

[Anonymous]

I really, really would not do it unless you plan on renting to someone whose house you have seen and know to be in a condition similar to that of your property. People have very different ideas about what it means to be a responsible pet owner, especially when it comes to what is perceived as normal wear-and-tear and cleanliness. Even with a pet deposit you can end up having to do a lot of work to get the property back into rent-ready condition after a pet leaves.

[Anonymous]

Not a landlord, but I had cats in rentals for a while. Jack up the security deposit and document move-in/out condition thoroughly.

We always left places better than they were at the outset, but that isn't always the case. Documenting protects you and your tenants.

[Anonymous]

No, I won't rent to pet owners. I have carpet in good condition in my rental. I think it's a bad idea personally.

[Anonymous]

We require that we meet the dog and stipulate that a particular pet has to be approved in writing by us. We reserve the right to ask for an extra deposit.

But we rent a small inexpensive studio apartment in our basement so we are around and monitor the situation.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:To all landlords,
Would you rent to pet owners? If you have experience renting to pet owners, could you provide me with insights of what I should be adding to the lease? And how to best protect my property.

Thanks in advance!

I actually am looking for a rental and yes I am a pet owner... In your case I would see the pet.. Spend an hour or so with the pet... With the owner Present of couRse, in my case I will be establishing a pet resume , reference etc... Or and taking pics of my current home... To prove that I don't allow my dog to destroy my home.

This is a sticky situation, but you always have your tenant's security deposit if need be ...

[Anonymous]

No, I will never rent to pet owners again. The first tenant I had, I allowed a dog. The thing peed all over the place, and luckily my tenant was nice, and he paid to replace the 1 year old carpet.
With my next tenant, I took a much bigger deposit and said no pets. She brought an animal anyway that peed and pooped all over the place. It also chewed up cabinets. She wasn't as nice, and I was only able to take her full security deposit, which covered about 1/2 of the damage.

[Anonymous]

Sounds like the problem is the human tenant, not so much the pet.

I would rent to a pet owner, but only dogs, not cats. The smell of cat piss is terrible.
I stipulate the dog is not over 25 pounds, and will periodically check up on the property to make sure extra pets aren't living there.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:No, I will never rent to pet owners again. The first tenant I had, I allowed a dog. The thing peed all over the place, and luckily my tenant was nice, and he paid to replace the 1 year old carpet.
With my next tenant, I took a much bigger deposit and said no pets. She brought an animal anyway that peed and pooped all over the place. It also chewed up cabinets. She wasn't as nice, and I was only able to take her full security deposit, which covered about 1/2 of the damage.

Irresponsible pet owner.... Sounds like she left the dog in the house alone for hours... Or days ...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:To all landlords,
Would you rent to pet owners? If you have experience renting to pet owners, could you provide me with insights of what I should be adding to the lease? And how to best protect my property.

Thanks in advance!

You could also require rental insurance paid by the tenant....

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Sounds like the problem is the human tenant, not so much the pet.

I would rent to a pet owner, but only dogs, not cats. The smell of cat piss is terrible.
I stipulate the dog is not over 25 pounds, and will periodically check up on the property to make sure extra pets aren't living there.

Once again, this is a problem with the human, not the pet. Someone who allows the litter box to get so filthy it smells is probably a slob to begin with.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Sounds like the problem is the human tenant, not so much the pet.

I would rent to a pet owner, but only dogs, not cats. The smell of cat piss is terrible.
I stipulate the dog is not over 25 pounds, and will periodically check up on the property to make sure extra pets aren't living there.

Once again, this is a problem with the human, not the pet. Someone who allows the litter box to get so filthy it smells is probably a slob to begin with.

Agree.

A well cared for cat with responsible owners will be far less destructive than the average dog.

[Anonymous]

In my lease for tenants with pets, I require carpet/ rug cleaning every 6 months, receipt mailed to me. Then I can see a) they had the cleaning done, and b) what kind of cleaning they had done- was it deep cleaning, flea, deodorizing, etc. If the cleanings are not done, they are taken out of security deposit, and it's my choice of cleaners (who I know will do a thorough job), not theirs.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:In my lease for tenants with pets, I require carpet/ rug cleaning every 6 months, receipt mailed to me. Then I can see a) they had the cleaning done, and b) what kind of cleaning they had done- was it deep cleaning, flea, deodorizing, etc. If the cleanings are not done, they are taken out of security deposit, and it's my choice of cleaners (who I know will do a thorough job), not theirs.

This is a great idea... As a home owner I do this... Who the hell wants there house smelling like dog.

[Anonymous]

I do allow pets and we get a pet deposit and require carpet clean w/flea tick removal upon move out.