If you are a landlord or rental property owner, there are many benefits to allowing pets in your rental property. You can increase your pool of applicants, decrease tenant turnover, and potentially ask for a higher rental rate. However, it is vital to create clear and reasonable pet policies that protects your property while maintaining tenant satisfaction.

Our Henderson and Las Vegas property management team explains what you need to know about pet policies and what rules to consider for your lease agreement.

Why Is a Pet Policy Important?

Pet rules for tenants are essential for several reasons. Landlords can avoid property damage, confusion over tenant responsibilities, and disruptions to neighbors with a comprehensive pet policy.

Here is why you should include detailed pet rules in your lease agreements:

• Preserve the quality of your rental property and neighborhood
• Prevent safety or health hazards for other tenants
• Protect the yard and landscaping from excessive wear and tear
• Provide a positive living experience for your tenant with pets

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Common Pet Rules to Include in Your Lease

Before you decide to lease to a tenant with pets, you must set ground rules with your pet policies. Think about pet restrictions, guidelines, and expectations that make sense for your rental property and area. Setting fair, consistent rules and making them enforceable is key to ensuring everyone is on the same page. Here are typical pet policies and rules landlords should consider.

Pet Deposit Requirements

Many landlords who allow pets in their rental require a one-time, refundable deposit from the tenant. Much like a security deposit, the pet deposit would cover the cost of damage and necessary repairs caused by the pet. This keeps the tenant accountable for these expenses and helps the landlord avoid paying out of pocket.

However, be mindful of deposit laws in your area. For example, Nevada law requires that security deposits cannot be more than the equivalent of three months’ rent. While you can have a separate pet deposit, it is important to make the distinction very clear in the lease. Otherwise, you could be violating landlord-tenant law.

Additional Rent Charge

Renters with pets are often accustomed to paying a slightly higher rent price in exchange for keeping their pet with them. Unlike a deposit, this additional rent is not refundable. If you choose to do this, remember that the pet rent must be reasonable and cannot be applied to service or therapy animals.

It is also best to do some research to see what other units or rental homes that allow pets in their rental property are charging for rent. You want to stay competitive while not pricing yourself out of the market.

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Dog Breed, Weight, or Size Restrictions

Some landlords may want to put restrictions in the lease agreement that limit the size, weight, or breed of dog allowed to live in the rental property. Unfortunately, some breeds are considered more aggressive or destructive than others, so it may be in your best interest to restrict them.

While dog breed restrictions can be somewhat controversial or even unlawful in some states, limiting the weight or size of a pet may be less taboo. Check with your state laws first to understand what you are legally allowed to do and how to stay in compliance.

Limit on the Number of Pets

If you want to welcome pets in your rental property, you also do not want to have the property overrun with animals. It is generally acceptable to limit the number of pets your tenants can have to only one or two. Additionally, most cities and municipalities already have laws that put a legal maximum on how many pets you can have at one residence at any time.

Pet Identification, License, and Vaccination Compliance

Many cities and states require certain pets to be licensed, vaccinated, and spayed or neutered to avoid overcrowding and animal housing issues. If you live in one of these areas, you can ask tenants for proof of compliance with these laws before renting your property to them. Your pet policy can require information, such as:

• License tag number
• Evidence of rabies vaccine
• Evidence of other necessary vaccines
• Expiration date of license and vaccines
• Evidence that the pet is spayed or neutered

Cleaning Up After the Pet

Your lease agreement should include details on the pet owner’s responsibility to clean up after their pets. If your rental is located in a homeowners’ association (HOA) or condo association, the community should already have rules established for pet owners on this front. You can pass these requirements on to your tenant through the lease agreement.

Disturbance Violations

Landlords also want to avoid noise disturbances and other disruptive behavior that could affect neighbors or other tenants. The lease agreement can include expectations on noise levels and what happens if there are violations, such as an initial warning, noise complaint fees, or the eventual removal of the pet.

However, you must specify these violations in the lease agreement if you want to make them enforceable. Without this language in the lease, you may be unable to move forward with potential consequences.

Can Landlords Refuse to Allow Pets in their Rental Property?

As a landlord, you have the right to allow or deny pets in your rental property, but there are exceptions. Under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), you cannot legally refuse to rent to a person with a disability who requires a service animal. Your state may also have specific rules that protect people with service or emotional support animals.

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Lease Agreement Services at Black & Cherry

Including a comprehensive pet policy in your lease agreement can prevent misunderstandings, tenant disputes, and unsafe conditions in your rental property. If you need help creating pet policies and an airtight lease agreement or negotiating a fair lease renewal, our Black & Cherry property management team can help.

Our Henderson and Las Vegas property managers have decades of experience with lease agreements, legal compliance, and collecting security deposits on behalf of our clients. We also offer other services, including advertising, digital marketing, tenant screening, accounting, and regular maintenance, to help you streamline your rental business and get more done. Contact our property management team to learn more about our property management services!