Download Dear Tiffani - Stafford Animal Shelter

The Benefits of Being in the Doghouse
The downturn in the housing market has created a renter’s market. Here are some
tips to help landlords tap into an underappreciated specialty market; pet owners. We will
detail how to make it a win-win-win situation. That third win is for the pets that don’t
have to be surrendered to the Shelter when people move to places that forbid pets.
Renters, if a landlord is hesitant you can detail how you will be a responsible and
desirable tenant by following the below suggestions.
The number one reason for pet surrenders at Shelters is that people are moving to
a place that doesn’t allow pets. As many people have been loosing their homes, the
Shelter has been inundated with these displaced pets. It’s heartbreaking for both the
people and their animals. A landlord not allowing pets is also the primary reason we deny
an adoption to a person here at Stafford Animal Shelter.
There are justified concerns in renting to people with pets; potential property
damage, noise, or neighbor complaints. Pet deposits are the first step; they can be
anywhere from $50 per pet up to one month’s rent, and should be refunded when a tenant
moves if there is no damage. Landlords report that pet-related damage tends to be less
than the pet deposit. Renters with pets may even be willing to pay a higher rent if they get
to keep their beloved pets.
Statistics show that tenants in animal-friendly properties stay significantly longer
- an average of two years than non pet owners. Vacancy rates and marketing costs are
both lower. It is a common, but mistaken, assumption that pet-owners don’t make good
tenants. We spoke with local landlords who cite long-term stable tenants as the biggest
benefit of renting to pet owners. One landlord said the hassle and expense of finding new
renters far outweighs any cost of pet-related damage. She added that “bad” [careless or
destructive] tenants without pets consistently cost her as much or more in repairs than pet
owners and credits allowing pets with the fact that she’s never had an empty unit.
Where pet noise is concerned, you can write a “no nuisance barking” clause into
your rental agreement that follows the City or County nuisance barking laws and evict the
tenant if they do no control the barking.
There are many more screening techniques that can prevent problems: write up a
pet-specific lease agreement including the number of pets, require a pet deposit, schedule
initial monthly home checks, require spayed or neutered animals, meet the animal, take
photos of the rental unit before and after vacancy, and ask for both previous landlord and
veterinarian references for the pet. When you check the veterinarian reference of the pet,
it is a good opportunity to ask about the temperament of the animal and the care the
person has taken of it. You can weigh this information when you meet the pet in person.
Requiring pets in rentals to be spayed or neutered has many preventive benefits: it
lessens chances of odors and stains from marking and animals in heat; noises from
animals in heat; escaping and disruptive behaviors; the attraction of other animals (and
loud, yowling mating) to the property if an animal is in heat; and prevent the birth of
more animals on your property. It’s not a good idea to require a renter to declaw their cat
because often declawed cats have behavior problems once their natural defenses have
been amputated. If you are worried about destructive clawing; don’t rent furnished units
to cat owners. If you are worried, do a monthly home check for the first few months and
you can address any problems you notice immediately.
Once you find someone who meets these requirements you are likely to have
long-term, responsible, happy renters who enjoy their new home with their pet.
Remember; pet owners talk to other pet owners and through word of mouth - you may
never have an empty unit again!
Stafford Animal Shelter is your source for animal behavior advice. Phone 222-2111 or
email [email protected] with your questions. Archived Montana Pioneer advice
columns can be found on the Behavioral Advice page of staffordanimalshelter.org.