It shouldn't come as a surprise that your prospective tenant's pets can cause problems at your rental property. Unfortunately, prohibiting your tenants from having pets in your rental property can limit your prospective tenant pool.
Did you know that pet owners are generally happier than people who don't have pets? Pet owners are also more likely to renew their leases, extending the hiatus from searching for the next perfect tenant.
Plus, there are steps that you can take to make sure that your tenants are responsible for the actions of their pets with a pet addendum. Continue reading to learn how to write your pet policy rental agreement to avoid future conflicts with your tenants.
Pet Restrictions in the Lease
If you don't want your tenants to have pets in a rental property, you will have to add a "No Pets Clause" to your lease. This tells the tenant that having a pet on the property will not be tolerated and is grounds for terminating the lease.
Some tenants will have Emotional Support Animals. These companions are not considered to be pets and cannot be banned based on your "No Pets Clause" should you choose to have one.
Unfortunately, banning pets from your rental property drastically decreases your tenant pool. However, you can restrict the types of pets you will allow in your rental. You can also regulate the number of pets or the size/weight of the pets that a tenant can keep in the rental.
You can ask pet-related questions on your rental application to determine if the tenant is a good fit for your property. You will want to set up a meeting for you and the tenant's pet to make sure they were truthful on the tenant application.
Requirements for Having Pets
The pet addendum in your lease should include the different requirements for having pets in your rental property.
You can require that your tenants have renter's insurance to be able to move in. Renter's insurance policies for pet owners can be designed with their pets in mind. These policies can cover every situation involving pets, from property damage to dog bites (if your tenant has a dog!).
It's also essential that your tenant's pets are up-to-date on their shots with the proper tags and licenses to prove it. Not having their vaccines can pose a problem, especially if they bite someone. You should also require your tenants to keep their pets well groomed and give them enough attention so that you don't have to deal with complaints from neighbors.
Pet Policy Rental Agreement
You can't be indecisive when it comes to your pet policy rental agreement. If you don't want pets in your rental, be sure to include a "No Pets Clause." If you decide to allow pets in your rental, be sure to include your requirements.
If you seem to be unsure of your decision, it could lead future tenants to take advantage of it.
Contact HomeRiver Group in Waikoloa today to learn more about pet deposits, tenant screening, and creating a low-risk pet policy for your lease.
