Should I Allow Pets in my Rental Property?

To many pet owners, their furry little bundle of joy is equated to being a member of the family. This goes doubly here in Southern California where pet shrinks, groomers, and luxury boarding facilities seem to be found on every corner! To pet owning tenants, the thought of giving up their dogs and cats in order to move into a home is absolutely ludicrous! They can’t understand why anyone would hesitate to rent to them and their pets.

Just about every homeowner has heard some kind of horror story from a friend, neighbor, or family member about a renter/pet situation that went awry. As soon as they hear that an applicant has a pet, the mind can tend to conjure up images of destroyed yards, urine soaked carpets, and smells that will linger for years. Not saying these kinds of things do not happen, but this occurrence is not the norm. Many renters in California are seeking pet friendly rental residences. Here in San Diego, the rental market has become increasingly competitive! An increase in the number of available rental properties coupled with an unchanged pool of renters means that if you want to rent your home quickly, you need to appeal to the largest market share that you can.

In conclusion, I would encourage home owners to at least consider the prospect of renting to tenants that have pets. For the average homeowner in San Diego, one month of missed rent on a vacant home could range significantly. At Utopia Management we ask for an additional pet deposit and rent from our tenants with pets. There are plenty of ways to safeguard your home and investment from the potential pet carnage!

Always remember… Less vacancy means more money in your pocket!