Pet-Friendly Renting: Tips for Tenants and Landlords

Renting with a dog or another pet can be difficult. Many properties have pet policies preventing people with pets from renting. However, pet ownership has grown substantially during the pandemic, with the American Pets Product Association finding that pet ownership rose to 70% in 2021. That means around 90.5 million homes across America have pets! 

Learn more about making their properties pet-friendly homes and having good pet policies in place. Doing so can open them up to a larger renting market. 

How Has the Pandemic Impacted Pet Ownership? 

The pandemic has dramatically impacted how we work, socialize and spend our money. Pet ownership has also seen many changes during this time. Many Americans decided to get pets to ease the loneliness of working from home, help them achieve their fitness goals or because they finally had the time to train their chosen pet.

The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) says that more than 23 million American households adopted a pet during the pandemic. That is nearly one in five households nationwide. A Forbes Advisor survey from early 2022 claims that 78% of pet owners acquired pets during the pandemic. 

And pet owners are willing to spend on the new additions to their households. In 2021, American pet parents spent $21.4 billion on pet products that were not medically necessary and another $28.4 billion on dog food.

Tips for Renting With a Pet

As a pet owner, finding a new home to rent comes with a few extra steps. Here are a few tips for renting with a dog or other pet: 

• Research: Find out what pet facilities and resources are in the area. Are there any dog walkers, dog daycares and vets nearby? Are there parks or safe sidewalks to take dogs for walks? Ask for the pet policy upfront to know the exact pet restrictions. 
• Be honest: Be open about your pet, their behavior, size, breed, health and more. This will help your relationship with your landlord start on the right foot. Sneaking a pet into a property that isn't pet-friendly can cause problems, and potential legal action, later on. 
• Create a pet resume: Tell your pet's story and show them off. Highlight training certifications, referrals from previous landlords or neighbors and a detailed medical history. Mention if they are potty trained.
• Be prepared for extra costs: Most rentals that accommodate pets will request an additional pet deposit or increase your monthly rent. Look into buying renters insurance and pet insurance. Renters insurance can help with property damage and liability costs, while pet insurance might cover certain medical expenses for your pet.
• Get everything in writing: If your landlord has made an exception for your pet, make sure your lease is updated correctly before your sign it. Having everything in writing will protect both parties if any issues arise later on. 
• Take care of your pet: Ensure your pet is not left unsupervised for long periods, take them for walks and clean up after them. Put dogs on a leash when you leave or enter your property in case your neighbors have other pets or are wary of dogs. 

Pet Policy Recommendations for Landlords

A pet policy can open your rental properties up to a bigger renting market. When creating a pet policy, you must be aware of the laws about renting with pets. The Fair Housing Act states that landlords cannot refuse reasonable accommodations for service animals in properties unless there is a danger to the animal, the tenant, the property or the other tenants. 

Here are five things to consider when creating your pet policy: 

1. Types of Pets

The best place to start is to figure out what pets you will allow. Cats, dogs, reptiles, birds, ferrets and more are popular with renters of all ages. But each comes with its own set of pros and cons. Research the potential impact of different pets on your property and the neighborhood to help you decide. Also, take into consideration the breeds of pets. If you own apartments that allow dogs, will you place restrictions on certain breeds or sizes?

2. Amount of Pets

Pick how many pets you will allow on your property. Bear in mind with exotic pets such as fish, limiting to one or two might be unreasonable. Have clear limits for different types of pets depending on the size of your property, the potential damage caused by multiple pets and the best practices for different animals.