California landlords will agree that the subject matter is one that is often an issue of contention. Most landlords shy away from tenants with pets since they consider the animals a liability to their investment. They only envision scratched wooden floors, torn carpets, and chewed furniture.
On the flip side, a significant amount of Californians have pets. To appreciate this, just take a walk or drive on the weekend in the suburbs. It is a common sight to see an individual or family with the doggo out for a walk or run.
So, how does one go about it? Servicing all manner of rental property in Southern California, Archer Management Group offers some advice on how landlords can handle tenants with pets. We will break down the different benefits and disadvantages of having pets on your property.
The Pros of Allowing Pets in Your Property Believe it or not, there are some benefits to allowing pets in your California rental property!
High Demand for Pet-Friendly Rentals As stated earlier, the number of renters with pets is substantial. According to a study done nationwide, it was concluded that over 50% of households in the U.S. own a pet or would like to own one. By advertising/ marketing your property as a pet-friendly one, you can get access to this sub-market of tenants.
By being adamant on the no-pet policy, you are chasing away a substantial part of renters in the market. Check out some ways to make your property more pet-friendly! Higher Rent or Pet Fees Pet owners also realize the challenge of having a pet on the property. They are thus willing to pay a slightly higher rent to keep their beloved pets with them. Landlords can realize a higher ROI by charging a higher rental price. One can also make use of non-refundable pet fees, pet deposits, or pet rent. You might be wondering how much to increase the rent or what the appropriate pet rent is. To offer you sound advice backed by research and data, call upon the Southern California property management experts, Archer Management Group.
Quality Tenants If you have owned a pet in the past, you will agree that taking care of one requires significant time and attention. It requires daily feeding, petting, and regular grooming. From our years in the industry, we have observed that the same care and attention are offered to your property. Tenants who own pets are more loyal and careful. Expect that they will maintain your property better than tenants with no pets.
Lower Tenant Turnover The California property market is one very competitive market. Landlords are always complaining of a high turnover as new properties enter the market or older ones receive a facelift with significant upgrades and renovations.
However, this is not the case for pet-friendly properties. There are several reasons for this. First, moving with a pet can come with its complications. It can cause undue stress to the animal once they have acclimated to a certain neighborhood. Secondly, they have very few property options in the market that have a pet-friendly policy.
Therefore, this is an opportunity for landlords to enjoy stable rental income for longer periods. This is however not an excuse for property owners to let the condition of their property deteriorate.
The Cons of Allowing Pets in Your Property There is also some risk associated with renting your property to pet parents. Some of the noteworthy ones have been mentioned below:
Condo and Home Association Rules While you might be willing to have a pet-friendly policy in place, it is important to check the condo and homeowner’s association rules. The rules are usually set in place to allow for a cohesive and all-inclusive atmosphere.
Breaking the rules set can lead to heavy penalties that you will be bound to pay. In other cases, you can be sued. As a property owner in your neighborhood, you can lobby for the change of some of these rules.
Consult the premier property management company, Archer Management Group. Our advice will provide crucial in such contentious and legal property issues. Possible Property Damage This is often the biggest risk considered by most landlords. It also depends on the type of pets. Property damage is considerably higher for renters with dogs. Dogs like to chew and scratch at things.
The property damage that a landlord is bound to deal with can include chewed furniture, chewed cables, scratch marks on floors and walls, and destroyed landscaping.
Risk of Allergies This is especially experienced in properties where one of the tenants has a long-haired dog or cat. As part of the natural grooming process, these animals tend to shed their hair. These hairs are usually a trigger for allergies.
While a pet lover may argue that they will keep the tenant in their space, allergens can be spread through the AC ducts. If you are planning to have pets on your property, you should notify all tenants that this is a pet-friendly property.
Increased Noise Every tenant on your property has the right to quiet enjoyment of their rented spaces. This means they should not be disturbed unduly by other tenants. Noise from a pet can meet the criteria, especially if it is a dog. Before renting out the space to a dog owner, it is recommended that you ask what triggers the dog to bark and how much it does. The Bottom Line As a landlord in California, you will agree with there is more to property leasing than simply luring a prospective tenant, signing a lease agreement, and collecting rent. Dealing with tenants requires expertise and in-depth knowledge. For landlords with rental properties in Los Angeles, San Bernardino, Orange, Riverside, and San Diego County, you can rely on a reliable and reputable property management company.
With over a decade of experience, Archer Management Group is the premier real estate service provider. We offer property management services and investment advice tailored to meet our client’s needs.
Rely on a team that will meet your property needs and maximizes the value of your real estate investment in California. Contact Archer Management Group today!