Data from the American Pet Products Association (APPA) indicates that at least 60% of American households own a pet of some kind. While some American renters are fine living without a pet, many of them don’t have one due to the no-pet policy in their rental unit. Although a pet is usually a wonderful addition to a family, it can also bring about problems in your rental unit, depending on the species or breed. For instance, an aggressive dog breed can bite people, breakthrough screen doors, and scratch surfaces. Even though there are some risks and costs associated with allowing pets in your rental properties, there are also several benefits.
Benefits of Allowing Pets in Your Atlanta Rental Property
While some pets can be risky to accept on your property, others are friendly, calm, and helpful. Here is a look at some benefits you’ll enjoy if you accept tenants and their pets.
Increased occupancy — Every year, at least 8 million pets end up in shelters when their owners move to rental units with a no-pet policy, according to the American Humane. Even though some tenants are strong enough to let their pets go, others will opt to look for a rental unit elsewhere rather than give up their pets. Therefore, allowing pets in your property can widen your tenant pool, increase your occupancy, and lower tenant turnover.
Increased revenue — Generally, landlords who allow pets in their rental units also charge a pet-fee and may also add monthly payments. This can be a lucrative way to complement your rental income as a landlord.
Costs of pets in Your Rental Property
Despite the benefits that pets come with, they can also increase your costs and even attract legal battles. Below are some downsides to allowing pets on your property.
Can cause damage — Most pets’ claws can scratch carpets, wooden floors, tiles, and walls, causing a lot of damage to them. Additionally, pets that aren’t housetrained will go to the bathroom on the flooring, damaging it and creating a stink that is difficult to remove if not taken care of immediately. In some cases, some pets can create a breeding ground for fleas and mites, which can be expensive to eliminate.
Complaints — Ill-behaved pets can be a nuisance to others in the area. Noise, odors, and the possibility of the pet injuring other tenants or neighbors should be considered.
These are some of the costs and benefits of allowing pets in your rental property. Based on your goals as a landlord, you should compare the two options and choose the most suitable one for yourself and your tenants.
If you’re looking for help managing your Atlanta rental property, let us help! Our Atlanta Specialized Property Management team is highly trained in all things property management, and we can help you figure out how to get the best bang for your buck when it comes to your rental property. Contact us today for a quote!
To request a professional Atlanta real estate management quote call us today at 404.596.8429
