Landlords who adopt truly pet-inclusive 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.
On average, only 8% of rental units are pet-inclusive. Expanding pet-inclusive policies can widen the pool of qualified applicants while helping keep dogs and cats out of shelters.
Why pet-inclusive rentals matter
Demand for pet-inclusive housing is growing
With an increasing percentage of renters owning pets, pet-friendly rentals are in high demand. Unfortunately, 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.
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.
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.
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.
Flexibility without risk
Rather than restricting all pets, consider:
- Reasonable pet deposits
- Requesting to meet the pet ahead of accepting an application with pets attached
- Pet references or vet records
These help protect your property while accommodating responsible tenants with pets.
Business benefits of pet-inclusive 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 pet deposits.
- Partner with local animal welfare organizations/shelters. They may offer low-cost or free behavioral classes and/or veterinary services to tenants with pets.
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.
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