Should You Allow Pets in Your Rental Property?

For rental property owners, deciding whether to allow pets isn't always an easy decision.

Pets can mean additional wear and tear, odors, damaged flooring, scratched doors, or problems with landscaping. So why would an owner consider allowing them?

Because saying “no pets” can also significantly reduce your pool of potential tenants.

A Bigger Pool of Renters

Many households have pets, and those renters are specifically looking for homes where their animals are welcome.

Allowing pets can increase the number of prospective tenants interested in your property and potentially reduce the amount of time it remains vacant.

But that doesn't mean an owner has to accept every pet.

Have a Pet Policy

Instead of simply deciding between “pets” and “no pets,” owners should consider establishing clear guidelines.

Your policy might address the number of pets permitted, acceptable types of animals, documentation requirements, tenant responsibilities, and applicable pet fees or rent.

The important thing is to establish the policy before marketing the property and apply it consistently.

Protect the Property

A good pet policy should also clearly establish the tenant's responsibility for damage caused by their pet.

Routine property inspections can help identify problems early rather than discovering significant damage after the tenant moves out.

Owners should also understand that service animals and assistance animals are not treated the same as pets under applicable fair housing requirements. Requests involving assistance animals should be handled separately from your normal pet policy.

The Bottom Line

Allowing pets isn't necessarily right for every rental property.

But automatically saying “no pets” may eliminate otherwise qualified tenants who could be a great fit for your home.

The better approach is to understand the potential risks, establish clear policies, and make the decision that makes the most sense for your investment.

Renting Georgia helps property owners navigate the everyday decisions that come with owning and managing rental property.