How to Reduce Pet Damage in Rental Properties

by | Sep 26, 2011 | Rental Property Management Tips

There’s no doubt we live in a pet-crazy world, and chances are many rental applicants are hoping to keep one in your property.

In most cases you do not have to allow pets. But being pet-friendly can increase your pool of qualified rental applicants and improve tenant retention.

If you decide to allow pets, damage to the rental property is a concern. However, if you follow these steps, developed by the Manitoba Rental Board, you can keep damage to a minimum and avoid disputes over pets:

Look at flooring alternatives to carpeting. Consider linoleum, ceramic, or other flooring that is solid, sealed and easily cleaned.

Use washable oil or acrylic paints on the walls. Avoid wallpaper, cork or other absorbent materials.

Provide well-sealed garbage containers for animal waste to limit the smell and reduce the risk that animal feces (especially from cats) pose to pregnant women.

Think about installing high-efficiency filters on forced air ventilation in the common areas for better ventilation.

Check and clean ventilation systems in high-humidity environments (ex: those with fish tanks) because mould often grows in the ventilation system.

Have your air systems cleaned when a tenant leaves. A wet clean will allow allergic tenants to be comfortable in an apartment that had pets.

This post is provided by Tenant Verification Service, Inc., helping landlords reduce the risks of renting with fraud prevention tools that include Tenant Screening, Tenant Background Checks, (U.S. and Canada), as well as Criminal Background Checks, and Eviction Reports (U.S. only).

Click Here to Receive Landlord Credit Reports.

Disclaimer: The information provided in this post in not intended to be construed as legal advice, nor should it be considered a substitute for obtaining individual legal counsel or consulting your local, state, federal or provincial tenancy laws.

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