Pet owners consider their pets to be part of their family. If you’ve ever known someone who owned a pet, you would know it’s almost impossible to convince them to give up their beloved Fluffy to move into a home where they’re not wanted. As a landlord, here are some reasons why you should transform your properties into pet-friendly homes.
Fill Vacancies Faster
Many of your prospective tenants come with pets. According to the 2017-2018 National Pet Owners Survey, about 85 million families, or 68% of U.S. households own a pet. They say that owning a pet reduces one’s stress level. Allowing pets can create a more home-like feel for your properties. If you allow your properties to accept pets, your properties will become increasingly more attractive to the eyes of searching renters.
Keep Great Tenants
Pet-friendly options are not always easy to come by. Tenants with pets are more likely to rent from you longer simply because it’s easier to stay than trying to find another place that allows pets. Additionally, a responsible pet owner is more likely to be a responsible tenant and respect their living quarters.
Pet Rent
The practice of charging rent for a pet is becoming increasingly popular and is widely accepted by renters. The recurring monthly charge, that’s often determined by pet size, simply gets tacked onto the tenant’s rent. Check with your local laws regarding pet rent and research what other landlords in your area are charging. Common fees for cats and small dogs, such as Chihuahuas or Shih Tzus are between $25-$45 a month. If a tenant owns a large dog, like a St. Bernard or Mastiff, the fee can be up to $100. If you own ten properties and they all have a small pet rent fee of $25, that’s an additional $3,000 of additional revenue to you.
Pet Deposit
Similar to a security deposit, a pet deposit can help cover the costs of any damage done by the pet. This protects you as the landlord from paying out of pocket to fix the damage. A typical pet deposit is around $250. Again, check your local laws and the going rate in your area before you settle on a set amount.
Not only will creating your properties to be pet-friendly lead to more revenue but you will also create a stronger relationship with your tenants. Besides, each pet you allow is one less that ends up in a shelter.