The Pros And Cons Of Allowing Pets In Your Salt Lake Rental Property
When renting your property you have a big decision to make: should you allow pets? 58% of Utah households have a pet, according to research from Data Pandas. By not allowing pets you are cutting off a big chunk of the market.
Your pet policy affects your rental income, property condition and tenant pool. Some landlords worry about property damage and extra maintenance, others see pets as a way to increase revenue and get long term tenants.
Should you allow pets in your rental?
Making your property pet friendly opens up big advantages. You’ll have access to a much larger pool of potential tenants, which reduces vacancy times and allows you to be more picky with quality tenants. You can also create additional income streams through pet rent, usually around $50 per month, plus pet deposits to offset the risk.
Pet owners tend to be longer term tenants because finding another pet friendly rental can be tough. Once they find a home they like they are more likely to renew their lease rather than go through another housing search. This reduced turnover saves you money on marketing and unit prep between tenants.
What are the risks and downsides of allowing pets in your rental?
Pet friendly properties have some challenges. Property damage is the biggest one, with risks of scratches, chewing or accidents that exceed standard security deposits. You’ll have higher maintenance costs for deep cleaning and odor removal between tenants plus wear and tear on flooring, carpets and fixtures.
Noise can be a problem, especially in multi-unit properties where barking can disturb neighbors. You may have to deal with complaints about pet behavior from nearby residents or issues between tenants with and without pets.
How do you protect your rental property from pet damage?
Strong pet policies help mitigate these risks. Start by collecting both a regular security deposit and a separate pet deposit. Many landlords make half the pet deposit non-refundable to cover deep cleaning costs at move-out. Document all pets thoroughly during move-in with photos and detailed information about breed, size and age.
Create detailed pet agreements that specify size limits, breed restrictions and behavior expectations. Regular property inspections help catch any issues early before they become big problems. Consider requiring proof of vaccinations and pet liability insurance from your tenants.
What about service animals in Utah?
You must allow service animals and emotional support animals (ESAs) regardless of your pet policy. ESAs need reasonable accommodation under Fair Housing laws when tenants provide proper documentation. But you can deny ESAs that pose a direct threat or would cause an undue financial burden to your property.
Local laws may restrict certain breeds or limit the number of pets allowed in rental properties. Check your local laws and insurance policies to see what the limitations are before you set your pet policy.
Allowing pets is a balance of income potential vs property risk. With proper screening, documentation and policies in place many landlords find that pet friendly properties can be profitable and manageable. Just create clear guidelines and enforce them consistently to protect your investment and take advantage of the pet friendly rental market.
