No Pets Rental Policy
We’ve been landlords for many years, and have always had a strict no pets policy. This has never been a problem in finding tenants. We keep nice apartments, rent a bit below market, and do our best to deal directly with tenants so they can afford a broker fee. However, our most recent vacancy is…
We’ve been landlords for many years, and have always had a strict no pets policy. This has never been a problem in finding tenants. We keep nice apartments, rent a bit below market, and do our best to deal directly with tenants so they can afford a broker fee.
However, our most recent vacancy is sitting open longer than usual, so we’ve signed on with a broker. Broker tells us they’ve had 4 applicants who wanted it at the price we’re listed, but all have pets. She is sure (and so are we) that the price is right. We are wondering if the no pets policy could really be getting in the way.
Note that this is a family sized apartment: 2 beds, 2 baths, washer/dryer, private yard.
Would appreciate thoughts of landlords and renters on three questions:
1. Is a no pets policy really that unusual?
2. If you do accept pets, what safeguards do you put in place to manage the possible problems (damage, disrupting other tenants, etc). Higher deposit? Case-by-case, so you meet the pet first?
3. Do that many people really have pets, or is this a function of the fact that this particular apartment is family-sized/near the park/etc?
Many thanks.
animals really bring out the neurosis in some people don’t they?
I dislike people who dislike animals.
I am a co-op owner, but the LL of my building doesn’t allow pets to the renters. We as owners are not allowed as wel. I suppose I could fight it, but I don’t want a pet anyway….
I do however understand why they dont want dogs though, they pee on the floors and sometimes the owners are not aware, it happens…if they have carpeting, even more so not to be discovered…the pee then soaks into the wood floors and ruin them.
Then the tenants move and the LL is stuck with ruined floors forever…so that part I get….
I totally agree with you, Petebklyn. I would never allow any animal in my house. They’re always a problem as far as I’m concerned.
Agree with Pete. No pets works for you and that is what is relevant. Brokers want to rent the apt with the least effort but they are not the ones living with and dealing with a tenant that is not a good fit for you. You will rent the apt with a no pets policy. I always do. A pet is just another thing that can go wrong so why do it.
“:-/ im calling baloney on that unless they left their cat home alone for fifteen years.’
Erm. I had a HUGE water bill this summer from leaving a hose in the front garden on a trickle. It was something I meant to leave on for an hour or two, and it was left on for a few weeks by accident. $300 isn’t impossible.
Cats are ok. Make sure your tenants know when garbage pick up is and have their used litter in the trash instead of in your house.
FWIW, big dogs need less exercise than small ones and overall tend to be less neurotic. They have to sleep more of the day. They live shorter lives too. I’d take a Newfie over a Pug dog any day. More slobber, less barking. Also, there is NO question that a big dog needs walking. People with little dogs are more apt to be lazy and use wee-wee pads and also to overlook adorable miniature turds. There could be more poo damage from the little ones.
I’d make sure to put acrylic plates or masonite over soft door areas where a dog could scratch asking to go out, but unless you have a tenant with a furniture eating puppy, that’s about the extent of most dog damage as long as it’s walked regularly.
quote:
Had a pet owner who left the water running in the bath tub so their cat could drink fresh water. Cost me $300 in extra water bills just in one month.
:-/ im calling baloney on that unless they left their cat home alone for fifteen years.
*rob*
I work for a Rental Agency here in the Slope & cannot tell you how difficult it is finding apartments for people with pets. If more landlords would allow them, it would give our clients a lot more choices and allow us rental agents to actually make a decent living.
I aloud 1 pet, cat or dog, with weight limit, even do it’s true that many times the small dogs are louder. I ask $300 extra as a deposit. I don’t own a pet but I feel bad not to aloud someone to have is friends. But then again, I don’t live there… I don’t see anything wrong meeting the animal, may be at the same time you meet the renter, like a family..
Had a pet owner who left the water running in the bath tub so their cat could drink fresh water. Cost me $300 in extra water bills just in one month. I currently have three stray cats who piss and sh!t all over my garden. Don’t think they belong to anyone. Is it legal to trap cats?