Many landlords still hesitate to allow pets in their rental properties. The very thought of possible home damages caused by a pet makes their blood run cold. But is it really so scary? Probably not.
It’s no secret that pet-friendly rentals look more appealing and attract more responsible tenants. After all, if a tenant can take good care of their pet, they can potentially keep a rental in good condition, too.
Plus it’s an effective marketing tool that will help you increase your rental income and establish powerful business strategies. You might be surprised how a pet policy can shape your rental business, but figures speak for themselves.
So, the probability you’ll have pets in your rentals is pretty high. And with the right pet policy in place and a few related clauses in the lease agreement, you might benefit from being a pet-friendly landlord.
Potential benefits for pet-friendly landlords
Pet-friendly housing provides a couple of obvious benefits worth considering:
- Increased revenue from rentals.
If you decide to become a pet-friendly landlord, you might want to charge a higher rent. No big deal! It’s a pretty common practice among pet-friendly landlords.
- Longer tenancy.
Pet owners are likely to stay in the rental for longer since it takes time to find pet-friendly places.
- Improving the tenants’ well-being.
Pets are said to reduce stress and improve emotional wellness. Oftentimes, a no-pet policy cannot be applied to emotional support and service animals who either maintain the tenants’ mental health or are trained to assist people with disabilities.
Warning! Beware of pet
While some landlords are more open to pets in their rentals than others, many landlords and property investors are concerned about allowing pets as they can cause damage, leave unpleasant odors, or disturb the neighbors. For that reason, they often consider a no pets policy as a possible solution to avoid any risks of keeping pets in the rental. Many don’t permit certain types of animals or breeds of dogs.
Most landlords require pet deposits prior to moving in the tenant with a pet. The deposit covers any pet damages that go beyond normal wear and tear. A fully refundable pet deposit is a reasonable charge in pet-friendly accommodations.
Removing pet odors in a rental doesn’t have to be a problem
While an extra security deposit is a solution to prevent additional home repairs, unwanted odors can be effectively eliminated pretty easily for little money.
There are numerous ways to beat the smell, but we’ve singled out the most effective ones for you.
Here are five tips on how to get rid of pet-related smells in your rental:
- Wash floors and vacuum the carpets.
First, properly clean the floor and vacuum the carpets to remove dust and debris. A wet or dry vac is an essential tool for removing pet stains and odors.
Since pet hair can cause an unpleasant smell, make sure to ask tenants to throw the hair into a trashcan after brushing their fluffy cats and dogs. You may even want to provide a brushing tool that captures the hair to help keep it contained. It’s a small expense that can help keep your rental clean in the long run.
Sidenote: It’s not recommended to apply vinegar or ammonia for pet odor removal since it may encourage a pet to mark the area.
- Wash any fabrics you’ve got in the rental.
Fabric can absorb pet-related odors and hold them for a long period of time. That’s why it’s important to wash any curtains, cushion covers, etc. immediately once a pet-owner moves out.
- Use air purifiers.
In addition to airing out the rental, use air purifiers and odor-neutralizing sprays to help with pet odors. Select a natural scent so you don’t make your rental smell like a perfume store. Besides, a strong scent might be a problem for the tenants who are allergic to certain smells.
- Clean the furniture.
Remove pet hair off furniture by using rubber gloves for upholstery fabric and a soft cloth for wooden furniture.
Apply only pet-friendly chemicals when cleaning the furniture so that you’re not putting the pets at risk.
- Take care of the pet’s bed.
Make sure your tenants take good care of their pet’s bed. During the cleaning process, ask them to wash the bed itself in the washing machine (if possible) and replace it from time to time.
If you’re already a pet-friendly landlord, you might have to occasionally deal with lingering pet odors in your rental properties. But with these tips, you can resolve the issue quickly.
Still hesitating whether to allow a pet in your rental property or not?
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And what about now?
Are Pets Allowed In Rental Properties?: Exotic Pet Ownership Statistics
Is It Legal To Charge Pet Rent And Pet Deposit: Few Things To Consider In Rentals
Landlord Pet Policy: How To Secure Your Rentals From Pet-Related Damages?
