As pet ownership in the U.S. increases, so does the need for pet-friendly rentals. Allowing pets into your rental comes with many benefits, including attracting long-term tenants and charging a higher rent.
With a thorough screening process in place, you can protect your home from potential risks and turn your property into a successful pet-friendly rental. In this article, we’ll tell you everything you should know about screening pets, as well as how to make the process easier for you!
Why Allowing Pets in Your Rental Is a Good Idea
When it comes to pet-friendly rentals, the benefits outweigh the potential risks. Here are some of the main benefits of allowing pets in your rental:
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Finding responsible tenants. Taking care of a pet is no easy task. Most of the time, a good pet owner will also be a trustworthy and responsible tenant.
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Higher market value. Since they aren’t the norm, pet-friendly rentals tend to attract a higher number of applicants. This means that rent prices for pet-friendly rentals are usually higher than for normal rentals.
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Long-term tenancies. Moving can be a stressful experience for pets, which is why most pet owners look to stay in a rental for the long term.
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Making your rental stand out. A rental that allows pets will typically get more attention, as they’re still a niche market. This can make your property listing stand out, and the marketing of your rental easier and more effective.
What Is Pet Screening?
Pet screening is similar to tenant screening. It’s an assessment to determine whether a pet is well-behaved enough to be allowed in your rental.
This process allows you to understand what a pet is like and whether they’ll be able to comply with the terms of your lease. We recommend screening all kinds of pets, whether it’s dogs, cats, birds, or even reptiles.
It’s important to note that landlords cannot refuse to rent to someone who has a registered service dog or emotional support animal. In these cases, all you can do is request a letter from the tenant or a mental health professional to confirm the need for a service animal.
What Does Pet Screening Entail?
Typically, pet screening consists of two steps: an application questionnaire and an in-person meeting. The goal of this process is to learn more about a pet’s health, behavior, and personality to help you determine whether they’d be a good fit for your rental. Here’s what you should look out for:
1. Questionnaire
Start by asking the owner some general questions about the pet’s breed, age, and education, such as whether they’re house-trained or have completed any training. Then, ask about their health, like whether they’re up to date with vaccinations or if they have any medical issues.
Finally, it’s important to ask about the pet’s behavior. Do they have any behavioral issues, such as excessive barking or aggression? Have they bitten a person or other animal before? Are they friendly?
Don’t be afraid to ask many questions. The more information you gather, the easier it’ll be to make an informed decision!
2. In-Person Meeting
If the pet passes the initial questionnaire, you can go ahead and schedule an in-person meeting. This way, you’ll be able to see what the pet is really like firsthand.
However, it’s important to keep in mind that sometimes pets can get nervous around strangers. So, one interaction might not be enough to get to know them well.
If you don’t have much experience with animals, we recommend contacting a licensed professional to help you with this part of the screening! A trained eye can easily help you spot problems that can become liabilities in the future.
Why You Should Include a Pet Clause in Your Lease Agreements
The best way to keep your pet-friendly rental property protected is to add a pet clause to the lease. Make sure to mention that only pets who have been previously screened will be allowed on the property, and set guidelines for appropriate pet behavior and cleanliness.
Don’t forget to detail the fees or penalties associated with breaking these terms. Except for service animals, it’s up to you to determine how much to charge tenants with pets. For instance, you can charge them:
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A one-time fee at the beginning of the tenancy for allowing a pet in your rental. Make sure to check Nevada landlord-tenant laws for the most up-to-date guidelines on pet fees.
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A higher monthly rent to cover the pet during the entirety of the lease.
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An additional deposit to ensure the tenant leaves the property in appropriate condition at the end of their lease.
Removing Pets from Your Rental
If a tenant regularly violates the pet policy terms, you could have grounds to evict them or ask them to remove the pet from your property due to the violation of the lease. The best course of action in this situation is to talk with the tenants to try to resolve the issue amicably.
If that doesn't work, you can go ahead and send the tenant a pet lease violation form or a notice to remove the pet. We recommend contacting a legal professional or property manager to help you navigate this process!
Bottom Line
Allowing pets in your rental comes with many benefits, but it’s important to put in place a thorough pet screening process to protect your property from any potential risks.
If it’s your first time allowing pets in your rental, contact Evolve Nevada today! With over two decades of experience, we know what it takes to keep a rental property protected, even when pets are in the equation. Evolve Nevada used petScreening.com to bring you the best services in Nevada.
