Admin

Detecting pet damage

By
Property Manager with Residential Equity Management, Inc.

Convincing a tenant to allow you to arrange the cleaning of carpets after they vacate can be beneficial to both the client and manager. This will help determine or discover if there is carpet damage (mainly pet) beyond normal wear & tear as the carpet technician can fully inspect the premises without having a bias opinion to the person writing the check. If you have a regular carpet cleaning company, you are most likely receiving services at a discounted rate. The tenant will be pleased to follow your lead knowing they too will reap the benefit. This is also a great opportunity to have the carpets inspected if you have any suspicions. 

Go to fullsize image

There is a great tool out there that detects the main ingredient in urine, salt. !!!  The tool is a hand held wand with a probe at the end that resembles a large needle. The probe is punctured into the carpet & pad in suspected areas of the room such as corners. The needle is small in width & leaves no damage to the floor or carpets. Anytime I suspect urine, even if the tenant uses another carpet cleaner, I request the probing. It works & will save you the hassle of explaining yourself to the client if you or the new tenant discover the damage after the security deposit has been returned.          

Retha Arrabal
Doug Ashley Realtors, LLC - Chestertown, MD
GRI, Associate Broker

As an avowed, and I mean AVOWED pet lover, I have to say, investment properties and pets do NOT mix in most cases

 

Jul 27, 2008 09:39 AM
Robert Machado
HomePointe Property Management, CRMC - Sacramento, CA
CPM MPM - Property Manager and Property Management

I have heard  the 60% of the general population has a pet, so not renting to people with pets can really limit your market, that is decrease rental income.   Janelle's idea makes sense to me.

Jul 27, 2008 10:38 AM
Mary Strang
Viroqua, WI

What does the pet wand cost, I have never heard of it, sound like it could be a good home inspector tool.

Jul 27, 2008 10:49 AM
Mary Strang
Viroqua, WI

Thanks Janelle, for emailing me with an answer to the question above.

Jul 28, 2008 12:07 PM
Wallace S. Gibson, CPM
Gibson Management Group, Ltd. - Charlottesville, VA
LandlordWhisperer

I am PET FRIENDLY and have PETS WELCOME is my ads.....I take an additional $200 in the security deposit for each pet and I ONLY take mature pets already established in the family.

I've had very few problems in 20+ years......I love it when competitors advise prospective tenants to call me because they don't take pets.....HeHeHe * Works for ME!!!

 

Jul 28, 2008 11:13 PM
Kari Battaglia
Veterans Realty Inc - Venice, FL
Who You Work With Matters!

We accept pets, but not large dogs.  We let tenants know that insurance will not cover us if there is a large or dangerous dog in the home.  We take $200 non refundable pet deposit.  We have had tremendous damage from pets, especially cats.  Good to know about the pet wand.  I will have to ask my carpet cleaner next time about that.  Thanks for the info.

Aug 21, 2008 03:49 PM
Meli Gerogianis
JKA Properties (Meli G Realty & Investment Group) - Clarksville, TN
Broker, CRS, ABR, SFR, CDPE, Licensed in TN & KY

I accept pets and I do my own carpet cleaning at the end. It's good to know about this pet wand gadget. Where do you get such thing?

Aug 21, 2008 04:52 PM
Trey Thurmond
BCR Realtors - College Station, TX
College Station , Texas Homes

Are these tools for detection eadsy to find and purchase?

Aug 23, 2008 01:16 AM
Roberto Gonzalez
RG Realty Inc - Hagerstown, MD
Hagerstown Commercial Real Estate

Thanks for the advice

Aug 24, 2008 11:18 AM
Thomas R. Martin Broker/Owner ICPM
Investors Choice Property Management - Sacramento, CA
Property Management the way it SHOULD be.

Nice post. Pets are a necessary evil in our business, so any tools we can use to cope with the damages they can cause is worth hearing about.

 

Oct 24, 2008 02:03 PM