What is a Tenant Pet Agreement?

Pet ownership is becoming more popular by the day in the US. Landlords looking to fill vacancies quickly are adopting pet-friendly rental policies so renters can live with their companions. However, opening your doors to all creatures with fur and tails means you must account for extra damages and liabilities. So, to help you lay down the law in your rental, and avoid stained carpets, scratches, and noise complaints, we’ll cover what a tenant pet agreement is.

Now let’s dive in!

What is a Pet Agreement?

A pet agreement is a document that outlines the responsibilities of a tenant who is also a pet owner. It is typically an addendum that property owners can add to the original rental agreement, with clear instructions to help renters and their companions adjust to their new living accommodations.

Bay Property Management Group Northern Virginia believes that having policies to accept pets in your rental opens up a larger tenant pool. However, it also preserves your investment by limiting property damage and pet-induced injuries. In addition, by promoting responsible pet ownership, pet agreements reduce your liability as a landlord and the chances of a conflict among tenants.

Importance of Knowing Pet History and Behavior

Most real estate experts recommend conducting a pet screening process before signing a lease with a pet owner. You can do this by asking the prospective tenant directly or politely asking them to fill out a questionnaire about their furry companion’s behavior and health history. Besides basic information such as their breed, you should also ask other questions, such as how often the pets get their vaccines and if they’ve ever bitten someone. This information can help you determine if a renter is a suitable fit for your rental.

To Prevent Property Damage

Just like how previous landlord references can tell you whether a tenant is reliable, past history can also clue you in on a pet’s tendency to cause property damage. If an animal already has a pattern of scratching, biting, and peeing on expensive furniture, they’ll likely do it to your apartment too. As a result, you could wind up needlessly spending hundreds of dollars to repair or replace damaged furniture, curtains, or medical bills for injuries.

For landlords that own furnished or semi-furnished rentals, the stakes are often higher because your investment is more expensive. After all, the last thing you want is to try to rent a house that has scratch marks on the wall or other pet related damage.

To Avoid Disputes

Besides preserving your property from harm, knowing a pet’s behavior can help you avoid disputes between your tenants. If you’re looking to adopt a new pet-friendly policy in a multi-apartment complex, you have to be mindful of existing tenants who may not like living in the same building with an animal. They might have had a traumatic incident with a dog or have allergies that make it difficult for them to breathe.

As a result, new pet owners have to be diligent in ensuring they clean up after their pets, keep them leashed, and quiet so they don’t disrupt other residents’ peace. Thus, make sure your tenants fully understand the pet policies in your lease agreement to avoid disputes and keep all tenants happy.

To Ensure Compliance

Tenants are more likely to comply with rental policies when their pets are well-behaved. Knowing an animal’s history and behavior patterns can help you determine whether it’s a good fit for your rental. If it doesn’t fit your training, size, or breed policy requirements, you can politely let the applicant know so they can find a better arrangement.

Common Clauses in a Pet Agreement

Pet-Owner Responsibilities

This clause outlines the pet owner’s responsibility to their animal friend and the property. Such responsibilities typically include cleaning up after their pets, ensuring they don’t wander unsupervised premises, and socializing them properly to prevent biting, excessive barking, or aggressive behavior.

Liability Waiver

Another common clause that shows up in pet agreements is a liability waiver. It can act as an indemnity clause that absolves the landlord of all legal responsibility in the event of an accident or injury. By signing this form, tenants assume all legal costs and penalties from damage caused by their pet to themselves, their guests, or the property.

Identification, Vaccinations, and Training

Many pet clauses usually include an “agreement” form at the bottom, where the tenant has to agree to non-negotiable policies like vaccinating their pets regularly so they don’t spread harmful diseases to other pets and renters. This section can also ensure that non-human companions always wear a collar and are well-trained in social settings.

Pet Fees

Pets increase the wear and tear in your apartment, so many landlords frequently charge a pet deposit to account for such damages. This fee acts as a bank to cover damaged furniture, cleaning services, and repainting in some cases. However, it would be best to adhere to state laws and refrain from charging unreasonably high deposits.

 

Conclusion 

To wrap up, we set out to answer the question, “What is a tenant pet agreement?” Put simply, it is a guideline for pet owners to ensure both parties are on the same page and the tenant can live harmoniously with others. That’s why knowing a pet’s history and behavior is essential. In the long run, it can help landlords prevent unnecessary property damage, avoid disputes between tenants, and ensure renter compliance.

In addition, some common clauses to add to your pet agreement include pet-owner responsibilities, liability waiver, rules on identification and vaccinations, and policies on pet fees. An experienced property manager can help you put together an excellent pet agreement.

Also, visit Home Design Looks for more quality information.