- Find a Real Estate Professional
- Alabama Realtors®
- Alabama Mortgage Lenders
- Alabama Home Improvement Pros
- Alabama Other Real Estate Services
- Review an Agent, Lender or Pro
- Marketing on Zillow
- Real Estate Agent Advertising
- Join the Professional Directory
- More
Answers (16)
- Marie Bjornson "FHA 203K Advisor", "FHA 203K Advisor"
- Contributions:15
I find advantages of allowing a pet are that those tenants can stay alot longer - I will only accept a pet if I feel very good about the tenants, and can tell they are responsible and have a plan for the dog, during the day for barking, etc.
I've just had great tenants with pets. I collect a $400 extra deposit refundable.
I've just had great tenants with pets. I collect a $400 extra deposit refundable.
- Bob Brandt, "BobBrandtRealtor"
- Contributions:1019
I would be less concerned with the possible damage and more concerned with liability the owner may assume from a dog bite. Ask your insurance agent and your lawyer.
- Stephanie Burg-Brown, "Phillybroker"
- Contributions:6
If you do decide to rent, make sure you have a pet application completed with details such as licenses, registration and immunizations. Have a solid pet policy signed and collect a pet deposit. I have also had some owners I work with charge an additional monthly fee added to the rent.
- Susan Wahle, "SWahle"
- Contributions:13
I wouldn't do it without a good sized pet deposit or added rent. Pets are hard on a home.
- Marcin Talaga, "Wadowice"
- Contributions:46
If you say your place is newly renovated, your first time landlords, and you live out of state, you might want to consider adopting a no pet policy. You don't want to risk having a large dog scratching up your floors, or ruining the carpets. If you're having a hard time finding tenants though, then just go ahead and say yes, but get a real good pet deposit along with the security deposit.
Marcin
Marcin
I will specifically advertise my home for dog owners when I move out. It is perfectly set up with dog doors, and a side yard that keeps my dogs out of the main yard. It has been my experience that responsible pet owners are responsible renters, and you can tell that by the dog's behavior within minutes of meeting it.
- wetdawgs
- Contributions:26854
When we've been landlords, we've seen more destruction from small dogs than from larger dogs, as well as more complaints for noise levels (barking). Smelling like a dog doesn't seem to vary by size. We've had even more (far more expensive) damage from cats. So, I'd prefer to rent to a mellow retriever than a small dog prone to barking or cats.
- Nancy A. Meier, "Nancy A. Meier"
- Contributions:25
If you don't have any other prospective renters, then perhaps have the realtor give you their assessment of the dog, speak to the owners to ask about the dog's history and if they intend for it to be an indoor dog.
We have a black lab (very active) and I would not keep it in our house; it is an outdoor dog. During very cold nights we bring the doghouse in the garage and insulate it. It depends upon what you're comfortable with and I know Chicago has some very cold winters! If you're concerned and want to rent to them, perhaps charge a much higher pet deposit and have someone check in on them periodically. Hope this helps.
We have a black lab (very active) and I would not keep it in our house; it is an outdoor dog. During very cold nights we bring the doghouse in the garage and insulate it. It depends upon what you're comfortable with and I know Chicago has some very cold winters! If you're concerned and want to rent to them, perhaps charge a much higher pet deposit and have someone check in on them periodically. Hope this helps.
@ Wetdawgs,
That is one discussion that I can't win, so most likely will get another thumbs down from you here.
I grew up with dogs and fishes, and like them a lot. My rental properties are always listed as no pets. The only animal that I made exceptions for are medium to small dogs and small fish tanks. Those were for two very qualified tenant that was willing to adhere to the contract inorder to rent the houses.
Hate to be so blunt, but it's a business calculation.
That is one discussion that I can't win, so most likely will get another thumbs down from you here.
I grew up with dogs and fishes, and like them a lot. My rental properties are always listed as no pets. The only animal that I made exceptions for are medium to small dogs and small fish tanks. Those were for two very qualified tenant that was willing to adhere to the contract inorder to rent the houses.
Hate to be so blunt, but it's a business calculation.
- Belinda Singh, "westcoastrealtor"
- Contributions:182
Sadly, I recommend that you not rent to pet owners or smokers for all the obvious reasons. Labs are loveable, but they shed like mad, smell like dogs and generally stink up the joint. You also need to consider the liability issues associated with large dogs. Your insurance may be cancelled if a large dog is on the premises.
Before anyone thinks I do not like pets, let me say that I have two cats, two dogs and one noisy little parrot.
- wetdawgs
- Contributions:26854
We have a lab bias - and have rented. A well exercised lab can be a far better renter than many other breeds, but it depends. They tend to be quieter than many small breeds. They also tend to snooze all day if they get their daily exercise sessions in the morning & evening.
Ask if the dog has passed the Canine Good Citizenship exam (an AKC devised exam) and ask for references from the vet as well as previously locations where the family rented.
A dog that is forced to stay outside all the time is often far more trouble to the neighborhood and property than a dog that is well exercised and lives in the home. Therefore, thumbs down on that recommendation!
Ask if the dog has passed the Canine Good Citizenship exam (an AKC devised exam) and ask for references from the vet as well as previously locations where the family rented.
A dog that is forced to stay outside all the time is often far more trouble to the neighborhood and property than a dog that is well exercised and lives in the home. Therefore, thumbs down on that recommendation!
- Bob Brandt, "BobBrandtRealtor"
- Contributions:1019
You may want to ask an attorney who is responsible when the dog bites someone.
Almost forgot, take a look at the NOLO series. I think they have a couple good ones on basic landlording and some on tax deduction.
Best not to physically meet the family, make your decision based on credit report, stability of current income, crimial background, and past reference.
If they rent before, ask your realtor to call the prior landlord.
Best not to physically meet the family, make your decision based on credit report, stability of current income, crimial background, and past reference.
If they rent before, ask your realtor to call the prior landlord.
Sunny's answer are spot on. It is usually easier to ask for 2 separate deposit (if ok in your state/city). One full one for the regular deposit and the other for a pet deposit (estimate the worst case scenario and divide by 3).
In the lease, clearly state the rules that you want to protect your investment regarding the pet: i.e.
stay outside or only in certain rooms of the house (or only in certain areas of the house during severe weather)
if property damage due to dog, landlord have option to terminate lease with 30/60/90 day notice.
if dog becomes a nusiance, landlord have option to terminate lease with notice
Annual carpet wash/deodering charge to tenants
etc...
If you know a good vet or a dog walker/groomer, ask them to evaluate the dog and an email of what they think. As they will be putting it in email (less formal then a letter), it will serve as record and the evaluation will be more cautious.
Make sure your landlord's insurance covers dog bite.
- George Slowinski, "gslow1"
- Contributions:561
You should first check with the Village your in to find out if they have any rental requirements. I would strongly suggest you work with a Realtor who is experienced in Rentals. You need to do credit and background checks also.
- sunnyview
- Contributions:25139
With a big dog, you may need to get more deposits and you also need to get the age of the dog and confirm the breed for insurance purposes. Responsible tenants with dogs can be good because it is often harder to find a rental that allows them so they move less often. A good dog is no trouble, a bad one is nothing but.
The potential for damage with a large dog can be greater if the dog is badly behaved. Your need to ask your realtor to interview the dog and you need to ask them to call the past landlord and ask questions about how much of their deposit they will be getting back from them. Ask if the dog is potty trained, had any health problems, is crated when the owner is not home, has separation anxiety, has it's vaccinations etc.
Responsible dog owners can be good tenants, but you need to have your agent throughly interview the tenants and the prospective pet.
The potential for damage with a large dog can be greater if the dog is badly behaved. Your need to ask your realtor to interview the dog and you need to ask them to call the past landlord and ask questions about how much of their deposit they will be getting back from them. Ask if the dog is potty trained, had any health problems, is crated when the owner is not home, has separation anxiety, has it's vaccinations etc.
Responsible dog owners can be good tenants, but you need to have your agent throughly interview the tenants and the prospective pet.
renting to tentants w/ a large dog
I live out of state and my realtor is showing the house, so I cannot physically meet the dog or family.
Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks!
Stating a discriminatory preference in an advertisement for housing is illegal. If you think this content is discriminatory or otherwise inappropriate and feel it should be removed from Zillow, please let us know by completing the information above.
We will review this content. Thanks for helping make the site more useful to everyone. To learn more, read Zillow's Good Neighbor Policy.