The decision as to whether or not to allow pets in your
rental property is not an easy decision to make. Pets can cause injuries, be destructive and
cause thousands of dollars’ worth of property damage. You may have heard horror stories about irresponsible
pet owners not safely confining their animals, not picking up feces, ruined
carpets and more.
However, if you don’t allow pets, you will lose
a certain group of potential tenants before they even look at your rental home.
Those folks that love their pets almost as much as they love their
children won’t rent your property, in most cases, if they can’t bring their
pets. Some may just say they don’t have
any pets and move them in anyway. Some desperate
tenant pet owners may fall victim to internet scams by purchasing on line
service animal kits. Unauthorized pets can be a more costly problem for the
property owner at move out when damage has occurred and there is no pet addendum
or additional deposit to help cover the costs.
According to the American Humane
Association rental properties that allow pets are the norm rather than the
exception in most parts of the country. They say 98 percent of the apartment
communities in the Denver metro area accept cats, 93 percent accept small dogs
and 66 percent accept large dogs. An
article on 9News.com said four of the top 10 cities for pet lovers are right
here in Colorado.
It has been our experience that rental properties that allow
pets rent more quickly and at a higher price per month than no pet
properties. Our policy of requiring a
black light test (urine glows in black light) both before and after a pet moves
into a rental home has improved our ability to collect carpet damage payments
from tenants.
If you allow pets in your rental home potential tenants or
current tenants wishing to add a pet will be notified that dangerous breeds, visiting
pets and animals younger than 1 year are not allowed and that a current photo
of the pet as well as up to date veterinary records are required. A legally binding Pet Addendum must be signed
and payment of a minimum of $200 additional security deposit must be received.
Assured Management will only advertise the type of approved
pet and will always strictly adhere to the property owner’s wishes as to
whether or not pets are allowed in the rental home.