Thanks to recent data from spots.com, we know that more than 68% of households in America, or close to 85 million families, have at least one pet.

What does this mean for landlords? It means that instead of having a blanket ban on pets, more landlords should consider allowing pets at their rental properties.

What Landlords Should Look For In A Pet

Breed – Obviously, not every breed of animal is the same, especially when it comes to dogs, so an owner must take the breed into serious consideration and confirm how that animal has been cared for over the years before they approve it to live in the rental property.

Size – Besides the breed of the animal, its size also matters as well, especially when an owner is renting a smaller property because the owner doesn’t want to rent to a tenant that has a large animal which could potentially damage the property.

Tenants also should be informed that any damage that their pet does will be deducted from their security deposit.

What Landlords Should Look For In A Pet Owner

Besides knowing what to look for in a pet, landlords should also know what they should be looking for in a pet owner as well.

Pet owners should be able to confirm that they have all of the right equipment for the pet including pet toys, treats, food, and the necessary items that are required to care for the animal.

Last of all, pet owners should be informed that their will be an initial deposit required for their pet. In some cases, this could be $250 or more (depending on the pet) and the owner must be prepared to pay a monthly ‘pet rent’ as well.

Contact GoldenWest Management

For more tips on what to look for in a pet, or to speak with us about our property management services, contact us today by calling (866) 545-5303 or click here to connect with us online.