8 - Pet Policy

On some properties the writer manages we have a pet policy and it goes as follows: 

“when your pet can read and sign the lease we will allow it on our property.”

Your insurance company has strict guidelines as to what pets you will not have on your property…usually it includes aggressive dogs.  

Generally if you are going to allow dogs here is what you will be replacing.  (Cats are somewhat less damaging):

• Doors and trim
• Window trim
• Glass panes
• Sheetrock and other miscellaneous pieces of wall

This is what you will deal with once the tenant is gone: 

• Smells
• Hair / fur
• Poop
• Fleas
• Fur in ac units, drain lines and everywhere else. 

With this noted, make sure you have an adequate deposit and floors that can handle scraping and scratching on a daily basis. Beyond the barking, dogs can bite.  Pets can be a major risk factor and should not be taken lightly.

As our world changes, and more and more renters come with pets as "family" members, as a Landlord before you say "no" outright actually meeting the pet in person can change your mind.  By observing how the animal and it's owner interact and how the pet behaves with you can be a major deciding factor for you as Landlord.