As a property owner, some of the most pressing questions concern pets. Offering pet-friendly rentals is an excellent way to attract long-term tenants who are burdened by moving and need to feel more secure in their living situation. While this amenity requires an additional pet deposit, tenants with pets will be happy to pay.
Some tenants have support animals for medical reasons.
A study published in Psychology Today showed that participants with depression experienced major improvements after receiving an emotional support animal. This study coincides with other studies that reaffirm the mental health benefits of pets. Allowing pets in your rentals can make for happier tenants and less conflict.
Learn more about offering pet-friendly housing to tenants in your city.
Types Of Pet Classifications and Support Animals
You don't have to offer "pet-friendly" housing to allow pets in your rentals. Some landlords only offer this accommodation to tenants with emotional support pets and other service animals. This amenity would require official paperwork from the tenant's physician.
In these cases, you wouldn't advertise "pet-friendly" accommodations in your rental listings. Rather, a prospective tenant would have to ask if accommodations are available for emotional support or service animals. Advertising this accommodation may cause confusion among applicants.
An emotional support pet can be a dog, cat, or other types of legal animals like rabbits and guinea pigs.
These animals are especially "prescribed" by doctors to help manage mental health issues like anxiety and depression. Essentially, the tenant is given the official go-ahead to register their pet as an emotional support animal or file for support animal certification.
Those with emotional support animals may be allowed in locations and plane cabins where animals are otherwise not allowed. A tenant with a large emotional support dog may be allowed in a store or another space, including an apartment.
Service animals are different.
They're required when a patient has a physical disability that requires additional support like blindness. The most recognizable example is a service dog for someone who is blind. These dogs are raised and trained to be service dogs and must pass a series of tests before being officially recognized; emotional support animals aren't required to go through these steps.
Landlords who offer general pet-friendly units may require size limitations for certain pets, namely, dogs. Cats of all breeds are typically allowed; however, some dog breeds may be prohibited due to safety concerns.
Paperwork For Pets In Rentals
Allowing animals in living units will require additional paperwork. Update the lease contract with pet terms, including the pet deposit amount and rules for keeping pets in the rental.
Have a lawyer or a property manager review the pet clause to ensure it aligns with applicable state laws for therapy animals.
Create a Cozy Pet-Friendly Atmosphere
Tenants are always on the lookout for pet-friendly living accommodations. Lend a helping hand today by offering rentals to tenants with support animals and pets. Talk to a property manager about any necessary legalities before moving forward.
The leadership team at PMI Cobb brings over 30 years of industry experience in property and asset management, including positions on boards for NARPM and CPI. The team is part of one of the largest property management franchises in the country
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