With 61% of Canadians owning a pet, it’s safe to say that a good portion of the renter population will look for a rental home having their furry friends in mind. This reality makes landlords face the critical decision to allow pets on their property or not. Having a pet-friendly policy will expand your applicant pool and foster a longer tenancy, but it will also bring you potential challenges, ranging from property damage to neighbour complaints. If you want to know how to manage your property, allowing tenants with pets, this blog will give you the tools you need to create a pet policy that protects your property and keeps your tenants (and their furry companions) happy.
Our Recommendations to Manage Tenants With Pets Successfully
1 – Screen the Pet Just Like the Tenant
Ask potential tenants to provide details about their pets, such as breed, size, age and temperament. You can even request photos or videos to have a better understanding of the pet’s behaviour or, if possible, get to know them when you meet the tenant during the screening process. Knowing the pet will help you decide if you’re comfortable with proceeding with the lease process, adjust your pet rules accordingly, or reject the tenant’s application.
2 – Set Clear Pet Policies in the Lease
One of the best ways to avoid disputes and protect your investment is by letting your tenants know what their responsibilities will be regarding their pets’ behaviour by including detailed clauses outlining what types of pets you allow, size or breed restrictions, and the number of pets you’re comfortable with. Make sure to be thorough and include clauses outlining property hygiene and noise standards, supervision and leashing rules, and the consequences for violating your policy, such as warnings or fines, to create a sense of accountability for your tenants and give you legal protection if a conflict arises.
3 – Inspect the Property Regularly
We recommend that independent landlords inspect their rental property at least twice a year, but if your tenant has pets, you may want to consider inspecting three times a year since animals can cause more wear and tear than normal and can go unnoticed until they become an expensive repair. We have a free inspection form that will help you do a detailed inspection can download for free here.
4 – Address Complaints Promptly
In a pet-friendly rental, issues are not uncommon—whether it’s excessive barking at late hours, damage in shared areas or the neighbour’s property, or an incident due to aggressive behaviour. Whenever you have to deal with a pet-related complaint, do it quickly, approaching the issue with neutrality and fairness and documenting everything in case the conflict escalates.
If the tenant violates specific terms in the lease agreement, send them a reminder in writing and give them a reasonable deadline to take the preventive measures needed. Most tenants will want to avoid further problems and prevent the issue from happening again, but in case of repeated violations, you can enforce the rules by sending a formal warning or imposing a fine. If the conflict persists and your property’s integrity is at risk, you can always start an eviction process.
5 – Educate Tenants About Pet Responsibilities
Even well-meaning pet owners may not fully understand how their animals can impact a rental property or their neighbours, especially if they’re first-time renters. That’s why taking an educational approach since the start of the lease is a proactive way to ensure a harmonious living environment for all involved. You can provide a pet owner guide with a summary of the property’s pet rules, explaining why said rules exist and how they can comply. Make sure your tenants have the guide in a conspicuous place, such as next to the entryway, as a constant reminder.
Protecting Your Investment While Being Pet-Friendly Is Possible
Having a pet-friendly rental property is a smart move, but it can be tricky. The key to success is being prepared, having open communication, and being proactive. By applying the recommendations we discussed, you can have a rental that respects both the property and the people (and pets) who call it home. If you own a rental in Calgary and want to make pet-friendly adjustments, you don’t have to do it alone. Contact us to get a free quote on this and more services to elevate your rental property’s value.
