A dog is not only man’s best friend; it also turns out to be from a landlord. Pet friendly rental gather considerably more cash flow then rental without pets, according to a studying of RentCafe.
According to proprietary statistics, the website states that US landlords can charge an average non-refundable pet fee of $315 on top the average pet rent of $36/month. With rental margins tightening due to higher expenses and rising mortgage rates, saying yes to pets can not only mean higher rents, but also lead to renewed leases and happier residents.
In a high-stress world, pets are an anxiety buster
As of 2024, approximately 66% of American households owned a pet, a sharp increase above the latter According to 40 years Forbes Advisor. It’s probably no coincidence that almost six in ten renters now have a pet Zillowan increase from 46% before the pandemic. The website states that almost half of tenants indicate that they are passing on a rental property because pets are not allowed.
“Allowing pets can be a strategic advantage for landlords competing to fill properties,” says Emily McDonald, rental trends expert at Zillow, explaining that pet-friendly listings are attracting more interest in today’s market.
Zillow Trends found that listings that allow pets rent up to eight days faster than listings that do not. In New York City, generally one of the least pet-friendly cities, apartments that welcome furry friends attract parents about 26 days faster than apartments that don’t.
A Report 2025 from the Michelson Found Animals Foundation, a philanthropic organization, found that pet-inclusive policies reduce tenant turnover. The report’s authors note that communities that embrace pet-inclusive strategies generally see residents stay up to 21% longer, reducing leasing and preparation costs for landlords.
“Property owners who capitalize on this trend can expect stronger tenant loyalty, lower vacancy rates and a significant edge in the competitive rental market,” said Ross Barker, director of the Pet Inclusive Housing Initiative at the Michelson Found Animals Foundation, in a statement.
The cost of pet ownership is nothing to bark at. According to figures, Americans will spend approximately $147 billion on pets in 2023 Reutersincluding food and treats, veterinary care, insurance and supplies.
For owners who can’t keep up with costs, pet care can be a major challenge source of financial tension. However, it also illustrates the demand for pet-friendly homes with modest pet fees.
What a pet package looks like
According to RentCafe data, a standard pet package includes:
- About $35 in monthly pet rent.
- Refundable deposits over $300.
- Non-refundable fees averaging $315.
Dog breeds, insurance and liability
The RentCafe report shows that dog breeds, insurance and liability are among the concerns of many landlords. To address this, most rental properties have targeted restrictions that limit the number of types of dogs allowed based on their size and ‘aggressive’ characteristics.
Although dogs are overwhelmingly the main pets that renters have, they are not the only ones. However, a ban on domestic cats is rare. RatherThe restrictions mainly focus on litter box training and vaccination requirements.
The New York Times reported that of the U.S. renter population, 59% of whom own pets, the majority are likely to have lower incomesand for For them, the additional costs of owning a pet during the housing crisis can cause financial hardship. As such, state and federal bills targeting pet reimbursements have become an issue for housing advocates. Colorado became the first state to do so promulgate a law limiting rents and deposits for pets and banning home insurers from imposing breed-based restrictions.
“Unless you can afford to rent in a luxury building, or potentially absorb hundreds of dollars in monthly or one-time costs, you may be forced to choose between housing and your pet,” Barker of Michelson Found Animals told the newspaper. New York Times. “It’s not just an animal problem; it’s a human problem as well.”
A controversial issue
Thisalong with other similar proposals across the country, has drawn a strong response from landlord groups concerned about the damage pets can cause to their properties and the inadequate compensation for pet limits.
“There are bad people, and there are bad dogs, and it’s our job to screen that and make sure we provide a safe environment for everyone,” said Russell Lowery, executive director of the California Rental Housing Association. Fox News in response to his state’s proposed legislation calling for relaxed restrictions on pet rentals was withdrawn after much opposition.
Under the California proposal, landlords would have been required to provide “reasonable justifications” for denying a pet.
“Running big landlords like me — small investors like me — out of California won’t solve high rent; in fact, it will make it worse,” landlord Ivan Blackshear told Fox News last year. the bill was withdrawn.
Are important for landlords to remember that, under the Fair Housing Actlandlords generally cannot charge pet fees for service animals.
Final Thoughts: Welcoming Fido without killing your FICO
Landlords who want to make their rental property pet-friendly without incurring the financial setbacks that a home demolished by cats or dogs can cause should adhere to a structured, repeatable playbook. Here are some steps you need to take.
Create a formal written pet policy
Such a policy standardizes the following:
- Allowed animal species
- Size or weight limits
- Number of pets
- Required vaccinations and local registrations
RentCafe finds that landlords with such a policy experience fewer disputes and insurance problems than owners with a more informal approach to tenants.
Set transparent prices
Create a predictable set of costs so tenants know what to expect. These should include:
- A refundable pet deposit.
- Modest monthly pet rental.
- One-time, non-refundable cleaning fee.
Request documentation
Treat pet documentation the same way you would pay for it: as a requirement, not an option. It will serve as both liability protection and behavioral screening. Standard pet documentation should include the following:
- Proof of vaccination
- Local licenses
- Treatment information against fleas/ticks
- Emergency vet information
Create low-cost, high-impact real estate upgrades
Making your home pet-friendly can be relatively budget-friendly. Common sense, sustainable design choices help reduce wear and tear and are a good idea to incorporate whether your tenant has a pet or not. These include:
- Semi-gloss or scrubbable paint in high traffic areas
- Vinyl planks or tile floors
- By kick plates
- Corner protectors
- Easy to clean skirting boards
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