“A dog is a man’s best friend” has long been a saying to indicate the companionship we find with our animals. This statement has never been more applicable to the average household as pet ownership numbers have steadily risen. Approximately 65% of households own a pet, and a recent survey by Apartments.com has shown that nearly 72% of renters have pets.
As a Saratoga Springs landlord, it is important that you are aware of the current trends that can affect your business. The Humane Society of America published a recent article directed at investment homeowners and landlords that outlined the benefits of renting to pet owners, noting that landlords have a larger pool of applicants to select from and that these tenants tend to remain longer in a unit, cutting down on costs of advertising and turnover.
When you work with Real Property Management Utah County we help ensure that your property is matched with the rights tenants, and their pets, if you decide to allow this on your property. Learn more on how to pet-proof your Saratoga Springs rental property today.
Why You Should Pet-Proof Your Property
One of the primary reasons why you should pet-proof your property is to attract more quality and qualified tenants that keep our rental property business healthy. By anticipating renting to a pet owner, you can make changes to your lease agreement and physical property to prepare for a pet to reside in your rental property.
Many landlords worry they will get a “bad pet” and regret allowing them on the property. This can typically be avoided however with the proper pet screening procedure, which ensures that the pet has been screened and approved just as a tenant would be.
Pet proofing your property is one of the best ways to limit potential damage to your property. While the security deposit that your tenant makes would cover any damage caused, no one wants to redo the floors or give the walls a new layer of paint before it is needed. By making pet-smart decisions within your rental property, you can avoid this in the first place and do business with homeowners with pets.
How to Pet-Proof Your Property
Regardless of whether your property has already been prepared for tenants, or if you are in a remodeling stage, there are many easy ways to pet-proof your property. Save money by using these cost-effective ways to rent to pet owners with fewer potential headaches.
Flooring seems to be the biggest concern for landlords when renting to pets, concerned that their lovely hardwood floor will be destroyed. This can be protected by using Polyurethane, which seals wooden floors and protects against these aspects, or when remodeling; you may consider installing laminate flooring that looks like wood flooring but holds up better to traffic.
Give some thought to the exterior of your home as well. Pet doors or granting the authority to have them installed if you have a fenced yard may be something to consider. Patios and balcony railings might be made to be safer with gates and/or plexiglass etc. Also, the paint you use in the home can go a long way to ensuring you protect your investment. While flat paint may be less expensive to apply, semi-gloss or velvet paint allows for easier wipe-down and clean up when friends have mishaps, furry or otherwise.
Heavy, thick blinds are also perfect both to keep your rental property cool in the summer, and trap heat in the winter, but additionally to protect against an animal pulling down blinds or playing with any flimsy cord or fabric. Baby gates can also be used, but this is something you will want to task your tenant with providing and protecting with.
Take advantage of these pet proofing tips for your Saratoga Springs rental property and start seeing the benefits of allowing pets on your property. If you would like more information about Real Property Management Utah County and the services we offer, contact us online or call us at 801-224-0033 today.
We are pledged to the letter and spirit of U.S. policy for the achievement of equal housing opportunity throughout the Nation. See Equal Housing Opportunity Statement for more information.
