The Pros and Cons of Renting to Pet Owners

At some point, every property owner or landlord will consider the question: “Should I rent to pet owners?”

There are both advantages and disadvantages to allowing pets in a rental unit. Many landlords who allow pets find that the pet owners are generally responsible and are willing to pay more to rent a pet-friendly property. 

Pros of renting to pet owners

1. You can charge pet owners higher monthly rent.

2. You can secure longer tenancies by allowing pets.

3. You can fill vacancies faster.

4. Pet owners tend to be responsible tenants.

5. You may have fewer lease violations when renting to pet owners.

Cons of renting to pet owners

On the other hand, the disadvantages of allowing pets in a rental property are pretty obvious to most landlords. Here are three reasons why many landlords don’t want pet-owning tenants. 

1. Pets may cause damage to the property. 

2. You may get complaints from neighbors about noise.

3. Pet odor, fleas, and allergy issues

If you’re offering a pet-friendly unit, a thorough pet screening will be just as necessary during the application process as a tenant screening. Screening a pet is the best way to prevent leasing to an owner with a noisy, aggressive, or disruptive pet that will damage your property. Plus, the screening process will also check for any issues with the animal’s past and confirm the owner’s information on their pets.