Deciding to allow pets into your rental property can be nerve-wracking, as there are many things to consider. And if you aren’t smart with your pet policies, you can end up in a slew of troublesome and irritating situations. This article will review what you need to include in your lease’s pet policy as a landlord.
Types of Pets Allowed
While it is a topic of great debate amongst pet owners, some landlords will ban certain dog breeds due to their presumed propensity towards violence, and it is within their legal right to do so. If you have any breed stipulations, you should clearly outline which breeds you will not allow. In addition, identify which pets you will and won’t allow. Aside from cats and dogs, some landlords may also allow small reptiles, hamsters, guinea pigs, rabbits, fish, and birds. It all depends on what you’re comfortable with as a landlord, but you should always specify what you will or won’t allow in the lease agreement.
Proper Paperwork
It is wise to stipulate that the pet owner has the proper paperwork, if applicable. While you should always cross-check with local and state regulations, ensure that your tenants know that it is required that their pets have proper identification and proof of vaccination. This can include receiving a copy of the paperwork and vaccination tags. Also, if they have a pet that requires a license to own, the tenant should have proof of that license.
Tenant Responsibility
One of the main cons of allowing pets into your rental property is the potential for damage. To avoid this, make sure that you specify in the lease agreement that the tenant is responsible for repairing any damages that their animal causes. You may also want to charge a pet fee or deposit to cover your bases. In addition, it is wise to put in the lease agreement and post signs around the units, if applicable, that it is the tenant’s responsibility to pick up after their animal; this includes indoors and outdoors.
Now that you know what you need to include in your lease’s pet policy, you can reap the benefits of allowing pets in your rental property without having to worry about the potential troubles that come with it.
