Why Pet Screening Is Always A Good Idea

Pet screening is becoming increasingly important for landlords, especially in the current environment where pet ownership in the United States is at an all-time high. If you want to take advantage of accepting tenants with pets, it’s crucial to conduct thorough pet screening first to mitigate the risks and protect your investment.

Why You Should Allow Pets in Your Property

There are several benefits of allowing pets in rental properties, including:

• Tenant Retention: Tenants with pets often seek stability to avoid the stress of moving on their pets. This leads to longer tenancies and fewer vacancies.
• Increased Demand and Market Value: Pet-friendly properties attract more applicants and can command higher rents, especially in pet-friendly neighborhoods.
• Responsible Tenants: Pet owners who show responsibility in caring for their pets are often viewed as more responsible tenants​​.

What Is Pet Screening

Pet screening is a process similar to tenant screening, aimed at evaluating the suitability of pets for rental properties. It involves a thorough background check on a pet's health, behavior, and attitude, usually conducted by a third-party service or directly by the landlord. 

This screening can include a detailed questionnaire about the pet's breed, age, weight, health history, vaccination status, and any past incidents of aggression or behavioral issues. An in-person meeting with the pet should be conducted to better assess its temperament and behavior. 

The goal of pet screening is to ensure that pets in rental properties are well-behaved and healthy, minimizing potential risks for landlords and other tenants​​.

How to Screen Pets Effectively

To screen pets effectively, landlords can follow this step-by-step process:

1. Develop a Pet Screening Application: Create a questionnaire for pet owners. Include questions about the pet's breed, weight, age, length of ownership, vaccination history, and behavior (e.g., aggression, house training).
2. Review Health and Vaccination Records: Request documentation from a veterinarian confirming the pet's health status and up-to-date vaccinations.
3. Conduct a Behavior Assessment: Include questions about any past incidents where the pet may have harmed people or other animals and inquire about any known behavioral issues.
4. Organize an In-Person Meeting: Arrange to meet the pet to assess its behavior firsthand. Remember, pets might behave differently in new environments, so consider consulting a professional if necessary.
5. Regular Updates: Require pet owners to provide updated health and behavior information periodically, such as at lease renewal times. Regular updates on the pet’s health and behavior are crucial to keep records current and minimize future risks​​.
6. Consider Third-Party Services: If the process seems daunting, consider using a third-party pet screening service to handle the details. Remember that pets might behave differently in unfamiliar settings. Therefore, it's advised to leave interactive screenings to professionals if landlords lack experience in handling animals​​.

7. Set Clear Policies: Incorporating pet clauses in lease agreements is essential. Ensure your lease agreements clearly outline your pet policies, including the screening process, types of allowed pets, and any associated fees or deposits. Consistency in screening all pets is crucial to mitigate risks and avoid discrimination​​.

Important Things to Consider When Conducting Pet Screenings

When conducting pet screening, here are the things that you need to keep in mind as a landlord:

• Legal Compliance: Ensure that the screening process complies with local and state laws, including regulations about service and emotional support animals.
• Consistency: Apply the screening process uniformly to all tenants to avoid discrimination claims.
• Documentation: Require thorough documentation, including health records and vaccination certificates from a veterinarian.
• Behavioral Assessment: Include an evaluation of the pet's behavior, which can involve a questionnaire about past aggression or destruction.
• In-Person Evaluation: Consider meeting pets in person, but be aware that animals may behave differently in unfamiliar environments. It’s best to work with a professional third-party service to do this.
• Service and Emotional Support Animals: Understand the legal distinctions and exemptions for service and emotional support animals, and the specific documentation required.
• Fees and Deposits: Decide on appropriate fees or deposits for pets, while ensuring these charges comply with local regulations.

• Lease Agreements: Clearly outline pet policies in lease agreements, including the screening process and any consequences for non-compliance.
• Regular Updates: Request updated health and behavior information at regular intervals, such as during lease renewals.

Why You Should Work With a Professional Property Management Company

Property managers can assist in the pet screening process in several ways:

• Conducting Screenings: Property managers can take on the responsibility of conducting pet screenings, including reviewing applications, health records, and behavioral information.
• Organizing Meetings: They can schedule and conduct in-person meetings with pets to assess their behavior.
• Liaising with Third-Party Services: Property managers can coordinate with third-party screening services to streamline the process.
• Monitoring Compliance: They can ensure tenants comply with pet policies and handle any violations effectively.
• Providing Updates: Property managers can keep landlords informed about pet-related issues and updates within the property.
• Educating Tenants: They can educate tenants about the pet policy requirements and the importance of compliance.
• Developing Policies: They can help create clear, comprehensive pet policies that outline criteria for acceptable pets and the screening process.

Conclusion

Pet screening is an essential process for landlords seeking to balance the benefits of allowing pets with the need to maintain the safety and condition of their properties. Implementing a thorough pet screening process can mitigate risks, enhance tenant satisfaction, and potentially increase rental income. 

For landlords who find the process challenging or time-consuming, hiring a property management service like Rent In Ottawa Property Management can be a practical solution. 

They bring expertise in developing and enforcing pet policies, conducting screenings, and ensuring legal compliance, therefore simplifying the process for landlords and ensuring a smooth rental experience for both property owners and tenants.