Allowing pets in a rental property can give you a larger applicant pool and greater income opportunity. With 62% of Ohio households owning pets, this can be a significant increase in your applicant pool. However, accepting pets in your rental is just the first step.
Several considerations must be addressed before your first pet tenant moves in. These three tips will help make managing rental pets easier.
1. Create a Clear Pet Policy
Before allowing pets in your rentals, you need to establish a clear set of rental pet policies. They must cover many possible situations and be included in the lease documents the tenant signs. These landlord pet rules will help protect you and your property from risk.
- Pet Deposit and/or fee
- Pet Rent
- Acceptance procedures
- Number Limit
- Behavior expectations
- Damage responsibility
- Care and hygiene standards
- Vaccination and licensing
- Insurance policy requirements
- Noise Control
- Emergency procedures
- Removal procedures
Remember that these policies cannot be discriminatory. Pets and service animals are not treated the same. The Ohio Fair Housing Act prevents landlords from discriminating against tenants with service animals.
2. Establish a Cleaning Protocol
Pets in apartments require more cleaning and maintenance. Even the most well-behaved pets create more wear and tear in the house. If you allow pets in your rental, you need to clean more extensively when the tenant moves out.
Working with a property manager can help you address rental cleaning needs. An experienced property manager knows the additional cleaning needs your rental property will have. They also have vendor connections to hire the right cleaning team to clean your rental.
3. Stay Current With the Law
As a landlord, you must stay current on the applicable laws. Failure to do so can have serious consequences.
Owning pet-friendly rentals could potentially change in the near future. Ohio legislation is being considered, which could change how you manage pets in your rental.
The Pet Friendly Rental Act would let landlords take a tax credit for allowing cats or dogs in their rental units. However, the credit could come with restrictions. The landlord wouldn't be able to restrict breed or size.
They also cannot charge additional nonrefundable pet fees or rent, but they could continue to charge refundable pet deposits. If this bill passes, you may be required to change your rental policies.
It can also affect whether or not you allow pets in your rental. The additional tax credit may incentivize you to change your risk tolerance and allow pets in your rentals.
Start Allowing Pets in a Rental Property
Allowing pets in a rental property brings many benefits, but you must take precautions. Start by creating a set of pet policies you will apply to all tenants.
Then, establish a cleaning and maintenance protocol that will protect your property. Finally, please educate yourself on the law to ensure you do not unknowingly violate it.
The Stewardship Management & Realty team can simplify allowing pets in your rental. Our decades of experience managing rentals in Massillon, OH, enable us to maximize income and minimize expenses for our clients.
Allow pets in your rental with our experienced guidance and high quality customer service.
