There’s a reason dogs are called “man’s best friend.” Animals have the ability to enhance your life in ways you never imagined. They’re sweet, they’re loving, and they need you. Oftentimes, pet owners are responsible and stable residents. But, when it comes to allowing animals in your apartment complex, there might be some issues. We’ve all heard the complaints, loud barking or meowing, ruined carpet, or the worst one, dog bites. When debating whether or not to allow animals in apartments, there are a few things to consider.

The Good

Animal owners are oftentimes responsible. If someone is taking care of their pet, chances are they’re capable of taking care of everything else. If a resident with a pet moves in, they’re more likely to stay.  Also, you can charge an extra premium for pet rent, which means more revenue for you!

The Bad

One thing to consider when letting pets move in is how long it’ll take to flip the apartment. Homes with pets require more cleaning and it could take longer to make a unit move-in ready. One way to help with this is by charging a pet deposit. This deposit can help with cleaning bills. Another thing to consider is pet insurance. You could require your tenants to get pet insurance, but some may not comply.

The Ugly

Unfortunately, we’ve saved the worst for last. Bites. We’ve all heard the story, dog bites a child, chaos ensues. This is the worst case scenario for everyone involved. Dog bites are rare, but they happen. One way to help combat this is by choosing which dogs you allow to in. When meeting with a potential renter, meet their dog as well. See how the dog reacts to a strange environment with strange people. Truly, it’s a judgment call only you can make. Dog bites do happen, but according to Canine Journal, 81% of reported dog bites cause zero injuries. One way to help this is by imposing breed restrictions and a set of animal guidelines for your residents.

After going over the pros and cons, we can see there are more benefits to allowing animals in apartments. The decision is up to you. If you can handle the bad and the ugly, consider the good your reward. If you don’t want to deal with any of it, that’s an option too. Trust your instincts and know what you’re capable of handling. We believe in you.