Could you provide a pet-friendly rental property?
Could you provide a pet-friendly rental property?
Before finding tenants for your property, you will have to decide if you wish to accommodate pets or not. Understandably, most landlords have in place a no pet’s policy due to worries about issues such as pet smells, pets not being properly trained , noise complaints and more serious issues such as damage to the property. As a landlord why would you risk it?
Firstly, It will open up the property to a much broader pool of potential tenants whom are more likely to stay within the tenancy for longer periods and make every effort to keep the property in good condition so that their tenancy agreement will be renewed. According to a recent survey by the Dogs Trust, 78% of pet owners have experienced difficulty finding accommodation which accepts pets. Another bonus to letting with a pet, if the pet is a dog it could provide a good form of security for the property.
Landlords who take suitable steps may find that letting to a tenants with Pets is a worthwhile option. Various ways Landlords can protect themselves include:
- Asking the letting agent to add a pet clause in to the tenancy agreement, which may include terms that the tenant is to pay for the property to be professionally cleaned at the end of the tenancy.
- Ensure a thorough inventory is carried out before the tenancy has started so there is no room for dispute on any damage.
- As with all tenancies, general wear and tear can’t be recovered from the security deposit. This should be accounted for via the rent to be charged; charging an extra £50.00 a month would result in an extra £600 a year – enough to cover fair wear and tear.
- If the tenant has been living in rentals beforehand it may be worth asking for a reference from the Landlord or Management Company of the previous property to check the property was kept to a good standard.
- No two pets are the same so take the time to meet the prospective tenant’s pets; there’s no better way to find out what their behaviour is like and how well their owner looks after them.
Ultimately it is far better to let your property to a good tenant with a good pet than a bad tenant with no pet.
