Allowing Pets

What are the advantages and disadvantages of allowing pets? 

While we love our furry pals, as a property owner, there are things to consider before allowing renters to have a pet, or three.

The Advantages:

  1. You can charge more rent! Think of it as pet rent. The extra income usually ranges from $50 to $100 per month. It's a meaningful increase in revenue per unit.

  2. Allowing pets increases the pool of tenants willing to consider the dwelling.

  3. Pet owners tend to be mature, responsible people.

As a landlord, those are very compelling reasons to allow pets. 

The Disadvantages:

The most common disadvantage is the risk of damage. 

Common types of damage include: 

  • Floor stains from "accidents".

  • Scratches on walls, doors, floors

  • Deep hair clean up

  • Lingering odors (can be hard to eliminate)

  • Barking

  • Annoyance to other tenants & neighbors

  • Problematic if service/repairs in the unit are necessary and there are pets present

Can you charge a pet deposit?

In the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, a landlord can NOT charge a "pet deposit." 

Carleen HartCJL Rentals