Blog Post

Considerations for Allowing Pets in Your Rental

Dustin Edwards • Oct 24, 2023

When listing your rental, remember a few considerations before doing so. Allowing pets in your rentals can be the deciding factor for many tenants, primarily in the current real estate market. It's not uncommon for couples to have pets before they decide to have children.


With this in mind, allowing pets isn’t necessarily the right choice for every landlord and every rental property. Service animals generally don't play a factor in these decisions. Today, we’ll explore the nuanced considerations and reservations that should help you make an informed decision when allowing pets in your rental property.


Pet-Friendly Building Readiness

As previously stated, some properties can be ready to accept tenant pets while others cannot. Each building and landlord may have to deal with a number of variables before making a decision. Primarily, is the rental big enough to comfortably and safely allow a tenant to have a pet? The main concern is with cleanliness and odor. And while it's great to assume every pet owner is vigilant of their pets, it's not uncommon for dogs or cats to soil carpet, which can leave unpleasant odors and stains. Cats are known for using anything and everything to sharpen their claws. This can include window screens and carpets as well. Dogs are known to scratch the paint off doors to bedrooms or entrances to signify excitement or need to go out.


Some of these issues can be mitigated by removing the carpet and installing hardwood floors or tiles. Window screens must be replaced with more durable materials to prevent cats from destroying them too quickly. Regular inspections may also be required to see the condition of the rental. This way, a landlord can get ahead of maintenance to prevent further damage. This, however, can be quite expensive for some investors, which may lead them to choose not to allow pets.


Pet’s Influence on Your Insurance

A major factor in allowing pets in your rental involves your insurance. By no means are we insurance agents. Though your insurance will likely be impacted by simply allowing pets in your rental, insurance can also dictate the breed of dogs, size of animal, and amount of pets allowed. As an example, cats are generally deemed low-risk pets and only minimally affect insurance premiums compared to dogs. 


Smaller dog breeds, such as chihuahuas, pugs, and Pomeranians, are typically considered low-risk due to their size. Larger breeds, however, may be subjected to higher premiums, such as cocker spaniels or golden retrievers. Some insurance companies outright ban some breeds. These breeds include chow chow, Akita, and other problematic dog breeds.

Discuss this with your insurance agent before making any final decisions.


Additional Maintenance

While allowing pets can broaden your tenant selection, it has drawbacks. Inside the rental itself, you may only see the maintenance needed once the tenant moves out or requires work to be done. If the rental was previously set up to accommodate pets, then maintenance can be reduced, though you’ll need to spend additional resources to repair scratch marks before painting. Odors may also be an issue if the tenant neglects to clean diligently after their pet.


Some of these costs can be offset by implementing a pet security deposit separate from the standard deposit. Maintenance can also be used as an opportunity to replace anything that was damaged by the pet with a more resilient material or product to avoid future repairs.


Many tenants rely on their pets to relax and enjoy their time. Pet owners tend to move out less out of fear of not finding another pet-friendly rental. This means you can have consistent income by allowing pets, though only for some. If you need help setting up your rental to allow pets or need help managing your
pet-friendly properties, we invite you to call us today at (562) 888-0247 or fill out our Owner Application online.

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By Dustin Edwards 01 May, 2024
Everyone wants to feel safe in their homes. As an investment property owner, it's up to you to decide whether or not to include security measures in your property. Many of the costs associated with the security measures can be included in the rent, meaning not only can you keep your property safe, but you can earn more income in the long run. However, you would still want your tenants to have renters insurance to protect their assets. Today, we’ll discuss the top five security measures you can add to your property and why they're beneficial to you and your tenant. Security Cameras Cameras are probably one of the first security measures people think about when asked about security. Cameras provide more benefits than just surveillance. They provide an extra level of security for the safety of the tenants and their belongings. Additionally, security cameras can be useful when repairs are required. Cameras can aid in supervising repairs and maintenance to ensure you’re receiving the agreed-upon work. During vacancies when the property is empty, security cameras can help keep the property safe from potential intruders. Doorbell cameras are incredibly popular now. They provide the aforementioned safety of a camera that can be accessed remotely, as well as the ability to communicate with visitors. Although one must be careful never to say you're not home, just say you're unavailable to strangers. Security Lights Security lights with motion detectors are another effective tool when adding security measures to your property. These lights brightly if a potential intruder attempts to get near your home. They can provide enough illumination to see the intruder or, at the very least, scare them off. Nowadays, you can find a combination of security cameras and motion-activated security lights, such as the floodlight cam wired plus from Ring . Additionally, because these lights only turn on when motion is detected, they’re more cost-effective than traditional lights with a switch. Illuminate the Property Light generally deters intruders as it's more difficult to hide. Adding lighting to the landscaping can increase the security of the property while creating a relaxing atmosphere. Lights can also be used in other areas of the property to accent features such as trees, benches, or artwork. This can help your property stand out while giving your tenants an additional feeling of safety. Keyless Entry Keyless entry is seen as both a convenience feature and a security feature. They usually use an electronic passcode, biometric data, or grant access through a smartphone app. Physical keys can be lost, stolen, or duplicated. You reduce the risk of unauthorized entry by eliminating the need for a physical key to enter the property. Many keyless entry systems include several features, such as remote locking and monitoring. Although keyless entry is a great new technology for keeping your tenants and properties safe, they’re best used with other security systems. Security Company Nothing beats having an extra pair of eyes on your property for security. This is where security companies like ADT and SimpliSafe come in. While companies may deal with security in varying ways, they aim to protect your investment. While safety is the primary role of a security company, remember that many tenants may be willing to pay more for a premium amenity like a home security company. Keeping your property and tenants safe is incredibly important to the longevity of an investment property. If you’re looking to improve the security of your Long Beach rental property or need help managing your beach city rental property, we invite you to call us today at (562) 888-0247 or fill out our Owner Application online .
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