Most of the tenants we work with consider their pets to be part of the family.
It’s becoming more and more common for tenants to be looking for pet-friendly rental homes in Marin County, and that’s because pet ownership as a whole has grown. More than 60 percent of the tenants looking for rental homes have at least one pet.
For rental property owners, allowing pets can expand your pool of potential renters and bring in tenants who are likely to stay in place longer. You will likely earn more in rent, too, because you’ll be able to charge a pet fee or pet rent.
However, with the benefits of pet-friendly properties also come possible concerns about property damage and disturbances. There’s a little bit of extra liability when you allow pets into your property.
There are ways to mitigate this risk. Conducting a thorough pet screening can help you find responsible pet-owning tenants and ensure peace of mind.
Today, we’re providing a comprehensive guide on how to go about screening pets while you also screen their owners.
Why You Should Allow Pets in Your Marin County Rental Property
For many, pets are more than companions; they’re best friends and furry family members. By allowing pets, you are inviting and welcoming a wide segment of potential renters who are in search of pet-friendly living arrangements. This increases your property’s demand and reduces vacancies. It’s better for your marketing strategies, and you’ll find you generate a lot more interest faster when you’re willing to have pets in your property.
Let’s take a look at some of the most significant benefits before we talk about how to protect yourself with pet screening. We understand that not all property owners are immediately eager to allow pets.
- Attracting Well-Qualified, Long-term Tenants
Pet owners understand the challenge of finding suitable accommodations for their dogs and cats. Once they find a welcoming rental home, they’re more likely to stick around. This means longer lease terms and continuous rental income for you. There are fewer turnover costs and a minimal vacancy risk.
- Make Your Marin County Rental Home More Attractive
Offering a pet-friendly rental property could be a positive and profitable opportunity. Not only could it lead to higher demand, but it also fosters a warm community spirit and boosts your business reputation. We always encourage our rental property owners to allow pets.
When they do, we also make sure we screen those pets carefully. Here’s how we do it.
Pet Screenings Can Protect Your Rental Property
A solid and consistent pet screening process minimizes the risk of damage to your property, ensures that other tenants are safe and undisturbed, and verifies that the pet is well-behaved and won’t present any liability issues.
Pet screenings can also provide a clear guideline of what is expected from pet-owning tenants, leading to better understanding and communication from the start.
How to Conduct a Pet Screening
When you’re advertising your rental property and creating a listing, make sure you mention somewhere that you’re willing to consider pets. This will result in more interest. Once you have tenants who are requesting applications, make sure the pet owners understand that their pet will have to apply, too.
Here’s our step-by-step guide to creating a solid and reliable pet screening process.
- Create a Pet Application Form
Your pet screening process should start with a comprehensive pet application form that potential tenants must fill out. The form should include:
- Type of pet (where it’s a dog or cat, what kind of breed it is, the size of the animal, and its age)
- A current photograph of the pet so you’re able to identify it at your property.
- Veterinary records that prove the pet is vaccinated and in good health.
- Spay/neuter status.
- Information about the pet’s behavior and training.
- Ask for Pet References
Just as you would check a tenant’s references, ask for a pet reference or two as well. This could come from a previous landlord. Your tenant screening process is likely to include reference checks from former landlords or property managers. Always ask about the pet. Was there extra cleaning needed or pet damage that was discovered after the tenant moved out?
- Set Your Property Rules and Pet Policies
Make sure you have clear rules and expectations in place. You’ll want a detailed and consistent pet policy that outlines the conditions under which you’ll allow pets and how you expect those pets to behave once they’re in place. You’ll want to make sure your pet policy includes guidance on:
- Noise control
- Pet sanitation in and around the property
- Areas where pets are allowed or restricted
- Guidelines on pet supervision
Make sure you indicate how many pets will be accepted, what ages you’re willing to consider, and whether there are any breed restrictions. Some property insurance companies will not cover what they consider to be dangerous breeds of dogs. Check with your insurer so you know what may not be covered.
You’ll also want to make sure your pet policy includes protocols on how to handle complaints or pets who get loose or misbehave.
Encourage Tenant Insurance Including Pet Liability Coverage
Encourage or require your tenants to have renters insurance that covers pet liability. This helps protect both the tenant and the landlord in case the pet causes harm or damage. If you find that your property insurance does not cover the type of dog that a tenant is moving in with, make sure they buy extra insurance to cover any potential risk that comes with the dog.
Allowing pets in your rental property can be an excellent idea and good for your bottom line, but you have to make sure that pets are screened and managed correctly. A comprehensive pet screening is an effective way to ensure that your new tenants and their furry friends will be a good fit for your property. By following these guidelines, you can welcome pet-owning tenants with the confidence that you’ve taken the necessary steps to protect your investment.
It’s always helpful to communicate. Make sure your tenants understand the responsibilities of having a pet in your rental space and keep the lines of dialogue open should any issues arise. With a little preparation, your pet-friendly property can provide a happy home for your residents and their pets and a profitable investment opportunity for you.
Contact us at Giuliani Property Management if you’d like some help screening pets or managing your Marin County investment property.