Landlords who adopt truly pet-friendly rental policies—without arbitrary breed or weight limits—can maximize occupancy, increase rental income, and expand the pool of qualified applicants while helping keep families and their pets together.
72% of renters have pets, yet problems finding and keeping rental housing is a leading reason dogs and cats wind up in shelters. It doesn’t have to be that way.
Why Pet-Friendly Rentals Matter
Demand for Pet-Friendly Housing Is Growing
With an increasing percentage of renters owning pets, pet-friendly rentals are in high demand. Many renters struggle to find housing that truly welcomes their companions. This gap presents a significant opportunity for landlords to attract responsible, long-term tenants. Humane World for Animals
Pet Restrictions Hurt Both Families and Landlords
Common policies like breed restrictions or weight limits often exclude the majority of pets, despite listing properties as “pet friendly.” As a result, landlords may miss out on a large segment of the rental market. Humane World for Animals
How Accepting Pets Can Increase Rental Revenue
Expand Your Tenant Pool
Removing strict pet policies allows more pet owners to apply, increasing competition for units and reducing vacancy periods. Humane World for Animals
Longer Tenant Retention
Pet owners often stay longer because finding new pet-friendly housing is challenging, which lowers turnover costs and increases lifetime tenant value. Humane World for Animals
Flexibility Without Risk
Rather than restricting all pets, consider:
- reasonable pet deposits
- small monthly pet rent
- pet references or vet records
These help protect your property while accommodating responsible pet owners.
Business Benefits of Pet-Friendly Policies
✔ Lower Vacancy Rates
Pet-friendly properties typically experience faster rental turnaround due to higher demand.
✔ More Qualified Applicants
Offering truly pet-inclusive housing expands your applicant pool, increasing the chances of finding well-qualified renters quickly.
✔ Competitive Advantage
In markets with limited pet-friendly offerings, landlords who accept all pets gain a market differentiator that draws tenants and keeps units occupied longer.
Best Practices for Landlords Accepting Pets
✔ Create clear, easy-to-understand pet policies in your lease agreements
✔ Ask for basic documentation such as vaccination records
✔ Require refundable or non-refundable pet deposits
✔ Set reasonable pet rent to offset additional wear and tear
These steps help protect your investment while making your property more appealing to pet-owning renters.
Helpful Resources
To support your tenants and help them succeed in pet-friendly housing, consider linking to related resources on HumaneWorld.org:
- Tenant Resources: What to Know When Renting With Pets — tenant guidance and rights for pet owners.
- Finding Pet-Friendly Housing: Tips to help renters find welcoming properties.
svetikd/iStock.com
Don't sign a lease with a no pet policy even if there are other pets in the building and the landlord says it's OK. Resolve landlord issues and find housing for you and your pet.
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Throughout the country, millions of people are experiencing a devastating housing crisis—and people with pets face special hardships when searching for a place to live. It’s still far too common that
Chad Sisneros/Humane World for Animals
WASHINGTON — With the passage of the Pets in Housing Act ( B25-0827) Washington, D.C. took a decisive step to support pet owners and address challenges associated with the nation’s housing crisis...