Many landlords know that having a pet friendly rental is important to attracting a wider range of good tenants. But what is a pet friendly property? What are pet friendly policies? Is it pet friendly to have restrictions on types of animals, breeds, and sizes?
Many landlords will accept dogs and cats, and many have limits on the number of animals, and also weights and breeds of dogs. According to the Humane Society, many restrictions on breeds are due to misinformation, and large dogs are no more destructive or noisy than small dogs. If you must restrict certain breeds or sizes, be sure that this restriction is made clear before the lease begins.
If you have a pet friendly rental property, that doesn’t mean you don’t have rules, but it does mean that you have a rental property where pets are welcome, and where there is room for them and their human companions to enjoy their lives together.
Some pet friendly features for a rental property include the following:
Some landlords will charge an additional pet deposit, or an additional amount of rent per pet. It’s important to keep track of pet deposits, and any damage a pet might do to the unit or the common areas.
It’s also important to maintain rules. Many apartment communities have rules about pets being kept on a leash in common areas or outdoors, and cats remaining indoors for their safety. For everyone’s comfort, it’s important to insist that dog walkers clean up after their pets, and that animals are well maintained, healthy, and kept under control. Even the most pet friendly communities do not appreciate a pet who is a nuisance, with loud barking, or “escaping” to harass others.
The Humane Society reported that in a survey of renters, many people prefer pet friendly communities whether or not they have a pet. Animals add enjoyment to our lives, companionship, and friendship.
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