Blog Post

What to Know About Pet Screenings

Matthew Tierce • Apr 08, 2021
Permitting pets in your units is somewhat of a calculated risk. There is a possibility that a cat, dog, or other type of pet may cause property damage. However, since 72% of American renters have pets, it may cost you in the long run if you prohibit them.

The good news is, there are steps you can take to reduce the risk posed by pets. This requires using a pet screening process and creating rules related to having pets in your properties. You may even want to impose a monthly pet fee, along with the cost of the rent.

Keep in mind, though, that this is only applicable to animals that are actual pets. If you have an existing or potential tenant who makes a reasonable accommodation request for their service animal, it is against the law to prohibit or restrict the animal.

Understanding the Pet Screening Process

If a potential tenant applies for one of the units you have available, you can include a pet application along with the traditional application. Current tenants can also be required to fill these out if they bring a new pet into the home or unit. Sometimes, pet applications are called pet resumes. They are designed to collect general information about the pet, such as:

• Sizes, types, number, and names of pets
• Registration information
• Training certifications
• Photo of all pets
• History of aggressive or destructive behavior
• Information from the vet
• Name of the renter’s insurance policy (if required)

The goal with this is to get as much information about every pet as possible. What you choose to do with the collected information is up to you. It can be used to approve or deny certain or all pets on your property, or you can keep the information on file if there is ever a problem with the tenant’s pets.

If you live in a city with a ban on specific breeds as house pets, you can figure out if your tenant may be violating the ban. If someone has exotic pets, such as ferrets or something similar, it is up to you to decide if they will be allowed or not.

Having information about pets on your property can also be helpful for your staff. For example, if one of the units requires maintenance, you can ensure the person providing the maintenance knows about the pet in the building. Making sure someone is aware of the animal before they arrive at the unit can help prevent an allergic reaction and ensure the pet does not escape accidentally. If an animal does not like strangers, you can let the tenant know they need to restrain the animal before the maintenance team shows up.

Implementing a Pet Screening Process

As a property manager, dealing with issues related to pets can be tricky. However, if you use a pet screening, you can make the process easier for everyone. You can also ensure that you are comfortable with the type or types of pets a tenant will have on-site. 

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By Matthew Tierce 04 Feb, 2022
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