Ensuring Responsible Pet Ownership in Rental Properties with Pet Screening
Renting out a property is a great way to earn passive income. As a landlord, you have the responsibility of ensuring the safety and comfort of your tenants while protecting your investment. While many landlords do not have a problem with pets, screening them for suitability is necessary to avoid the potential risks that come with having pets in a rental property. Pet screening helps you to identify suitable tenants with pets, mitigate risks, and avoid potential legal issues. In this article, we will discuss pet screening in rental properties, the process, and how landlords can protect their investments and keep tenants safe.
What is Pet Screening?
Pet screening is the process of assessing a pet’s suitability for a rental property. It involves evaluating a pet’s behavior, breed, and documentation to determine if they meet the landlord or property management company’s criteria. Pet screening ensures that a pet is not a risk to the property, other renters, or the landlord. A pet screening process typically includes a behavioral assessment and documentation review.
Why Pet Screening is Necessary?
Pets can cause damage to the rental property, disturb neighbors with excessive barking, and pose a risk to other tenants. Similar to tenant screening, pet screening helps you to identify any potential red flags and take necessary precautions to mitigate risks.
For instance, if a dog is known to be aggressive, it may pose a risk to other tenants, causing bodily harm or property damage. Similarly, some pets may have behavioral issues that lead to excessive barking or destructive behavior. By conducting a pet screening, landlords can ensure that pets are well-behaved and that they do not disturb other tenants or cause property damage.
Pet screening also helps landlords comply with the Fair Housing Act. According to the Act, landlords cannot discriminate against tenants with disabilities who need a service animal or emotional support animal as a reasonable accommodation. Pet screening helps to verify that the pet is indeed a service animal or emotional support animal and that the tenant has the necessary documentation to support their accommodation request.
The Pet Screening Process
The pet screening process involves several steps that landlords can follow to ensure that they select suitable tenants with pets. Here are the steps to follow:
- Create a Pet Policy: Before screening pets, it is essential to establish a pet policy that outlines the expectations and restrictions for pet owners. The policy should include information such as the number of pets allowed, breed restrictions, and the types of pets allowed. You can also include information on any pet-related fees, such as pet rent or pet deposit.
- Ask for a Pet Resume: Pet owners can create a pet resume that highlights their pet’s behavior, training, and any other relevant information. The resume should include information on the pet’s breed, age, weight, and vaccination status. The pet owner can also include information on the pet’s training, such as obedience classes or any commands that the pet knows. By asking for a pet resume, landlords can get a better understanding of the pet’s behavior and suitability for the rental property.
- Conduct a Behavioral Assessment: Conducting a behavioral assessment is essential to ensure that pets are well-behaved and do not pose a risk to other tenants or the rental property. Landlords can conduct a behavioral assessment by asking the pet owner about their pet’s behavior, asking for references from previous landlords, or requesting a third-party assessment. A behavioral assessment can help identify any potential red flags, such as aggression, excessive barking, or destructive behavior.
- Review Pet Profile: Reviewing documentation is a crucial step in the pet screening process. Landlords should request documentation such as vaccination records, licenses, and any other necessary documentation. If the pet is a service animal or emotional support animal, landlords can ask for documentation supporting the tenant’s accommodation request, such as a doctor’s note or therapist’s letter.
- Pet Interview: After reviewing the pet’s resume and documentation, landlords should arrange an in-person meeting with the pet owner and their pet. This meeting provides an opportunity for landlords to observe the pet’s behavior and assess its suitability for the rental property. During the meeting, landlords can ask the pet owner about any specific needs or concerns they may have and address any potential issues.
- Background Check: Conducting a background check is another crucial step in the pet screening process. Landlords should conduct a background check on the pet owner to ensure that they are responsible and reliable. A background check can reveal any previous evictions or criminal history that may indicate a higher risk for property damage or disturbances.
- Make an Informed Decision: After completing the pet screening process, landlords should make an informed decision on whether to approve the pet owner’s application. If the pet meets the landlord’s criteria, they can approve the application and allow the pet to live in the rental property. If the pet does not meet the criteria, landlords can deny the application or ask the pet owner to provide additional information.
Pet Screening and Fair Housing Act
The Fair Housing Act prohibits discrimination against tenants with disabilities who require a service animal, assistance animal, or emotional support animal. Landlords cannot deny a rental application based on the presence of a service animal or emotional support animal. However, landlords can conduct a pet screening process to ensure that the pet meets its criteria for suitability.
If a tenant has a disability and requires a service animal or emotional support animal, landlords should make reasonable accommodations to allow the pet to live in the rental property. Reasonable accommodations may include waiving pet-related fees or making necessary modifications to the rental property to accommodate the pet.
Pet-Friendly Rental Property
If you are a landlord looking to attract pet owners, you can make your rental property pet-friendly. A pet-friendly rental property allows tenants to live with their pets, creating a more welcoming and comfortable environment. To make your rental property pet-friendly, you can establish a pet policy, create a designated area for pets, and provide necessary amenities such as waste bags or pet-friendly flooring.
Protect your Investment with Pet Screenings
Pet screening is an essential process for landlords to protect their investments and ensure the safety and comfort of their tenants. By following the pet screening process, landlords can identify suitable tenants with pets, mitigate risks, and avoid potential legal issues. The pet screening process includes establishing a pet policy, requesting a pet resume, conducting a behavioral assessment, reviewing documentation, arranging an in-person meeting, conducting a background check, and making an informed decision. Pet screening also helps landlords comply with the Fair Housing Act and make reasonable accommodations for tenants with disabilities who require a service animal or emotional support animal. As a landlord, you can make your rental property pet-friendly by establishing a pet policy and providing the necessary amenities for pets. By doing so, you can attract more tenants and create a welcoming and comfortable environment for both tenants and their pets.