If you are renting property you need to consider what your pet policy is.  Did you know that approximately 60% of the population has a pet?  If you do not take pets, you are instantly reducing your pool of tenants down to 4 out of 10 people!

We normally suggest that our clients allow one pet with an extra deposit paid of at least $500.00.  In addition, many dog breeds are never allowed (see below for the policy and breeds). 

If I can rent a property a month quicker by taking a pet, I think our client is better off.  Beside, pets don't screw up, tenants screw up.  So with a good reference and the right pet, it may make sense to take one.

Here is the policy I use at HomePointe.  You can see the entire agreement at http://www.homepointe.com/ and click on Owner Services.

25..._____ If initialed, Resident agrees to PET POLICY, OTHERWISE NO PETS ARE ALLOWED.

Description of Pet(s) (Type, Size, Weight, Color, Name): (Pet Desc)

Whereas Resident desires to keep a pet/pets in the premises and this agreement herein, and this rental agreement prohibits the keeping of said pets without the permission of Owner, NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the rental reserved herein and on the mutual terms and conditions and covenants of the rental agreement herein, the Owner does hereby grant to the Resident permission to keep the aforementioned pet/pets at the premises subject to the following terms and conditions:

     a.  That the pet/pets will not be permitted to cause any discomfort, annoyance, nuisance or in any way to inconvenience or cause complaint from any other resident or neighbor and Resident does hereby covenant that upon receipt of notice from Owner of a complaint by another resident or neighbor, that action will be taken immediately to remedy the cause of the complaint to the satisfaction of Owner.

     b.  The aforementioned pet/pets will not be permitted to freely traverse the carpeted areas of the building in any way, or to commit any damage or nuisance in any part of the demised premises or elsewhere in the building; Resident agrees and covenants to be financially responsible for any and all damage, loss or expense arising out of keeping the pet/pets at the premises.

     c.  Resident further agrees that aforementioned pet/pets will not be permitted outside Resident's premises unless restrained by leash.

     d.  For failure or breach of any of the terms and conditions set forth above, Owner reserves the right to revoke permission to keep the pet/pets at the premises and to terminate the rental agreement herein.

     e.  Resident shall not keep any pet with any vicious or dangerous propensities.

35.  The following dog breeds are not allowed on the premises at any time:  Pit Bulls, Alaskan Malamutes, Rottweilers, Akitas, Chow Chows, American Staffordshire Terriers, Doberman Pinschers, Boxers, German Shephards, Great Danes, Siberian Hunkies, Wolf-hybrids, Perro de Presa Canarios and any dog that has any of the above breeds in their lineage.  If a dog has a history of violent behavior, it is determined to be a dangerous dog no matter what its pedigree and it is then not allowed on the property.