| Even the words "pets", "dog" and "cat" can send cold | | | | Well-groomed pets usually indicate people who have |
| chills down the spine of any landlord who has had a | | | | a care for cleanliness and the quality of their |
| bad experience with tenants who thought that | | | | environment. A pet should have no strong odors |
| cleaning the litter box once a month was enough or | | | | about it and should have a healthy, glossy coat. |
| let their dog tear up the living room carpet for | | | | Watch for scratching or chewing that may indicate |
| amusement. However, accepting pets can mean | | | | parasites. Inquire as to the type of pest prevention |
| better tenants who stay longer. Finding responsible | | | | used for the pet. An indoor cat may legitimately be |
| pet owners to rent from you might take more time | | | | left prevention-free, but pets that access the |
| than a simple ad in the paper, but they can be worth | | | | outdoors should have some kind of preventative |
| it. | | | | program in place. |
| Any pet owner looking for a rental can tell you that | | | | Inquire into the training of their pets. If you are lucky |
| "no pets" or "n/p" is one of the most common sights | | | | enough to have a prospective renter whose dog |
| in the Rentals section of the newspaper. This is for | | | | goes to obedience classes and has won titles, |
| good reason; any landlord can tell you horror stories | | | | seriously consider them. Dogs with temperament |
| about pet owners who don't clean up after their | | | | testing and obedience titles are more likely to be |
| pets, prevent and/or repair damage caused by said | | | | well-trained pets in the home. Other titles of |
| pets, or keep their pets under control. People like | | | | achievement in the canine world are indications that |
| these ruin it for the rest of pet owners, as many | | | | the person is involved with their dogs and has a care |
| landlords feel that they can't take the risk of | | | | for their welfare and living area. |
| accepting pets into their rentals. | | | | Cats can be harder to ascertain whether they are |
| First, what are you planning to accept? Caged animals | | | | being regularly interacted with. You can look for signs |
| generally don't leave their cage for any length of time | | | | of scratching on the furniture and carpet. A cat tree |
| and their mess is confined to the cage and immediate | | | | and cat toys are a good sign that the owner is |
| area. Birds can be an exception; a medium to large | | | | committed to providing their cat(s) with items to |
| bird can cause a lot of mess if not cleaned up after | | | | exercise their inclination to scratch and rub on instead |
| regularly. Many more landlords accept cats into rentals | | | | of walls and floors. Cats that are 100% indoor, or |
| than dogs, since cats can be happy living in small | | | | only indoor-outdoor under control & supervision |
| quarters and are often cleaner. Small dogs are more | | | | are less likely to pick up dirt, parasites and disease. |
| likely to be accepted than big dogs for the same | | | | Ask for references, such as vets, groomers, trainers |
| reasons. | | | | and other pet professionals the person claims to |
| No matter what kinds of animals you decide to | | | | have interacted with. References from previous |
| accept, recognize that there is no such thing as a | | | | landlords can be a good indication of their treatment |
| completely clean pet. Even fish need to be cared for | | | | of rental property. References from the local SPCA |
| regularly or their aquarium and area becomes a | | | | or humane society can also be a sign of a good |
| breeding ground for smell, mold and mildew. It's not | | | | tenant, since most animal rescues have an interview |
| so much the mess that the pet produces; it's the | | | | process of their own for pet adoption. |
| commitment of the owner to keep their pet and its | | | | Take the time to consider those people who have |
| surroundings clean and livable. | | | | anticipated your concerns by providing an upfront |
| Some landlords charge pet deposits for pets, which is | | | | plan of care, maintenance and reimbursement |
| certainly an option for you. Most responsible pet | | | | concerning their pets. The people who take the time |
| owners realize that deposits are a part of real life | | | | to alleviate your concerns about their pet and who |
| and will be willing to pay one in exchange for being | | | | show themselves willing to take responsibility for any |
| able to rent a decent home. If the pet owner | | | | damage that pet may do are more likely to care for |
| complains that they 'can't afford' a pet deposit, | | | | your property in the manner that will keep it rent |
| reconsider renting to them - what is going to happen | | | | able after they leave. |
| if there is some kind of pet-caused accident or | | | | Renting to pet owners can be risky, but it can also |
| damage to your property? Will they refuse to fix it, | | | | bring great rewards for the landlord who carefully |
| citing that they can't afford to? | | | | chooses a responsible pet owner. Pet owners who |
| When interviewing a pet owner, it is a good idea to | | | | care for their animals are more likely to care for their |
| see the pet(s) if at all possible. If you can interview | | | | living space and stay in a place that will accept their |
| the person in their present lodgings, you can see how | | | | pet. With careful consideration and interviewing, |
| clean they keep the place (of course, you may allow | | | | landlords can find responsible people who take their |
| for packing/moving disarray), whether it smells of pet | | | | responsibilities to their home as seriously as their |
| and how clean and well-trained their pets are. | | | | responsibilities to their pet. |