Pets are cherished members of many families, and navigating the world of renting with pets requires understanding from both landlords and tenants. In this blog post, we’ll explore guidelines and considerations for creating a pet-friendly rental environment.
Can a Landlord Deny a Tenant with a Pet?
Yes, a landlord can choose to deny a tenant if they’re uncomfortable with the tenant having a pet. Landlords can also choose to deny a tenant because there are too many family members, they don’t like their name, they think they don’t make enough money, they think they make too much money, they happen to be at the house while they’re visiting and they think they smell or don’t like how they walk. The list is long, and may infringe on human rights at times, but, in reality, Landlords will critique a tenant to ensure they are comfortable with who’s living in their property.
Can a Landlord Charge a Pet Deposit?
No, a Landlord cannot force a tenant to pay a pet deposit. However, while a pet deposit is not one of the permitted deposits a Landlord can require, it could result in them denying the tenant for other reasons. Our suggestion to tenants is to consider a reasonable deposit and take plenty of photos to have a record of the condition of the property before the lease commences.
How to Convince a Landlord to Accept Your Offer with a Pet
Convincing a Landlord to accept you and your fur babies as new tenants can be challenging. Still, we never shy away when helping tenants apply to rent properties, even if there’s a glaring “NO PETS” statement in the advertisement.
In many cases, the “no pets” clause stems from a real estate agent who couldn’t overcome the landlord’s objection or concern, or perhaps the landlord had a bad experience in the past. The biggest challenge with rentals is usually the humans, not the pets, so let’s discuss how to handle this.
First of all, the main concern a Landlord has is that the pet will damage the property. So, take photos or video, and offer the Landlord a tour of your existing property. By showing them first-hand how well cared for your property is and how well-behaved your pet is, you may put them at ease. You could also offer a “pet deposit” to comfort their mind by knowing you have some skin in the game and have an invested interest in maintaining the property.
As an additional component to your rental application, include photos, videos and a story about your pet. Perhaps the Landlord had a bad experience with a large, intimidating dog, and your little Shih Tzu wins them over. Either way, the effort is often appreciated and gets you a moment of consideration.
Etiquette for Tenants with Pets
We hope that most of this goes without saying, but it’s important to recognize that you should always treat your rental property as your own (aside from the benefit of not having to handle repairs yourself!) Ensure that you’re respectful in how your pet behaves, avoid accidents in the house, clean up immediately if they occur, take responsibility for damage, pick up after them in the yard, etc.
Can a Landlord Evict a Tenant for Having a Pet?
No. While a landlord can deny a tenant’s application because they have a pet, once they’re in, they cannot be evicted simply for having or getting a pet. However, there are exceptions:
If you’re in a condominium, you must abide by the condo corporation’s rules and regulations. If your pet’s breed or weight or the number of pets you have is contrary to the rules, you can be forced to leave or remove the pets. If your pet becomes a nuisance, perhaps because of an allergy or constant barking, you can be evicted.
Hopefully, these tips will help you secure the perfect new home and establish a great relationship with your new Landlord. If you’re stuck with a bad Landlord who you think would benefit from being hands-off and us hands-on, forward them this blog and tell them we should chat 😉
