Why All Apartments Should Be Pet Friendly Apartments

If you thought house training your pet is the hardest part of owning one, then you probably haven’t tried looking for an apartment, condo, or home that is not only spot-on with your budget but is pet friendly as well. Even in some cities regarded as “pet-friendly,” it can be hard to find a new rental home or apartment. You would think that finding pet-friendly apartments would be more comfortable. There are some pet-friendly residential buildings, even ones that allow rescue pets. 

Why Pet-Friendly Apartment Makes Sense

 If only more landlords understood how responsible and careful, most dog owners are, they might change their minds about letting pets in their properties. Below are some excellent reasons why pet-friendly apartments make sense. 

Pet Owners are Responsible

Dog owners understand that owning a pet is a huge responsibility, and they stick to it for life. Feeding a pet and time and paying rent on time are closely related. Pet owners care not only about their living conditions but the living conditions of their pets as well. Pet owners might leave their homes or apartments in better shape compared to those without pets. Any landlord would love having a pet owner as their tenant.

Pet Owners Have Compassion

Living in an apartment means that you get to live pretty close to other people; you can get a chance to meet neighbors all the time. Nothing makes one’s living conditions feel much better when you know that some of the people you share a building with are kind and compassionate individuals. Compassionate, friendly, and outgoing neighbors found in pet-friendly apartments. What’s not to like about that?

Pet Owners are Committed

Pet owners have pets who intend to love and care for it for as long as they shall live. Pet owners are not afraid of commitment, and once they find the apartment they love, they will stay for a very long time. Responsible, long-term tenants not only benefit landlords, but they also contribute to the sense of community in the residential complex. 

Pet Owners are Not Stingy with Money

According to a survey, pet owners spent a whopping $60 billion on their pets way back in 2015. Part of that went to paying for the rent and maintenance of a pet-friendly residence. If you own a pet and found a place you love but isn’t pet-friendly or doesn’t allow pets, you can try negotiating by offering twice the deposit they usually demand. Landlords are human, after all, and they may change their minds (or their policy) for someone who shows they are willing to spend extra just for their beloved pets.

Pet Owners Bring Joy and Fun to a Community

Research shows that pets can lower stress and help ease anxiety and depression. You don’t necessarily have to own a pet to experience the benefits of having one. Merely being around an animal and petting them are found to lower one’s blood pressure and increase serotonin levels. Serotonin is what we commonly know as “happy hormones.” Now imagine living in a building with tenants that own pets? You’ll have a building full of happy, relaxed, and compassionate tenants! It sounds like a beautiful place to live, right?

In Los Angeles, around 70% of apartment renters own pets. Larger cities in the country boast similar statistics. This figure represents a large pool of responsible, compassionate, and happy potential tenants. Renting to pet owners is not only helpful to those with pets looking for a home; it’s a smart business move for landlords too. 

Pros and Cons of Pet-Friendly Apartments 

For landlords, one of the most important decisions you have to make is deciding whether you want to have a pet-friendly apartment or rental and outlining a policy for it. 

Having pets can be a good thing, but it has some setbacks as well. Pets can cause property damage and even disturb other tenants. However, do the pros outweigh the cons? Let’s find out.

Below are some of the pros and cons of having a pet-friendly apartment that landlords should review. 

Pros of Pet-Friendly Apartments

• You can Charge Higher Rent –If other apartments or residential buildings in your area are not pet-friendly, you may be justified in charging more rent for pet fees. As a landlord, higher rent premiums can work in your favor in the long run.
• Happy Tenants –As we have mentioned earlier, having and being around pets can significantly reduce stress. They serve as a great companion for people of all ages. Happy tenants can make life easier for landlords, and having pets around can make your property a friendlier place for everyone. 
• Increased Renewals –The best way to reduce tenant turnover and vacancy are to convert your property into a pet-friendly one. Because pet-friendly rentals are scarce, you will be able to keep your property ‘competitive’ by allowing pets. You don’t even have to advertise to get your property noticed. Word of mouth from happy tenants will bring in potential tenants that own pets too. 
• Increased Tenant Pool –As we mentioned above, making your property pet-friendly will bring more interested tenants due to the high demand for pet-friendly apartments and rental housing. Furthermore, responsible pet owners often make perfect tenants. 

Cons of Pet-Friendly Apartments

As with everything else, there are also cons of having a pet-friendly apartment. They are as follows:

Property Damage –There is always a risk of pets, like cats or dogs, damaging the wood flooring and carpets. 

• Some pet owners are also not responsible for cleaning up after their pets, resulting in property damage throughout the building. You can prevent this from happening by screening owners and pets for behavior before accepting them into your property.
• Odor –Pets, such as dogs or cats that are not adequately cleaned or groomed, can spread unpleasant odors all over your property. There may also be tenants that are allergic or end up moving away when animal odors become too overpowering. 
• Liability –The presence of unauthorized pets can result in a considerable amount of damage not only to your property but to other tenants if the pet bites or attacks them. Fortunately, you’ll be able to claim liability coverage through renter’s insurance when you have a pet policy in place. If you don’t have a pet policy, all damages and potential issues will be your responsibility.