Potential landlords always want to know if they should accept pets, and today we’re talking about what’s best for your northern Virginia rental property. My husband and I are pet lovers, and we have two huge dogs. Pets do put some wear and tear on your house, so don’t think that won’t happen. However, when you’re thinking about whether to rent to tenants with pets, remember that about 62 percent of American households have pets. So, if you say no to pets, you’ll be eliminating a huge percentage of the population. Pet owners are potentially great tenants, and there are a few things you can do to protect yourself if you decide to accept pets.
Talk to Your Insurance Company
Make sure you check with your insurance company on what breeds are acceptable. Insurance companies will not insure a list of certain dog breeds. For example, pit bulls are always on that list. Call your insurance company and find out what those breeds are. You want to limit your liability.Property Management Northern Virginia: Lease Agreements
Your lease agreement can address pets in a number of ways. First, you can require a pet deposit. Make sure you have a pet deposit that can cover any potential damage. You can charge this deposit per pet and it is collected on top of the security deposit. You can charge pet rent as well, which we’re seeing more of in our market. It’s usually $25 to $50 a month per pet. Smaller pets like birds or small animals sometimes come with less pet rent and larger dogs will be more. Decide what makes sense. That will cover some of the wear and tear you may experience.Move Out Requirements and Inspections
You can also put a clause in your move out requirements that says tenants with pets must have their carpets de-ticked and treated for fleas. Most leases will require tenants to have the carpets professionally cleaned, and carpet cleaners can also do these extra treatments. This will take care of
odors, fleas, and ticks. You can also charge an extra fee if you want to do additional inspections on the property. Let pet owners know you need to visit more than you normally would, and then charge them a fee.
These are just a few ways to protect your northern Virginia rental when you accept pets. If you have any questions, please contact us at Richey Property Management.
