Keeping pets in a household comes with consequences. Sure, pets become part of the family, and who could resist having a cute companion around? But we also have to remember the responsibility that goes with it. Because animals can bring about issues, some landlords do not allow tenants pets. Having animals in a property rental increases the risk for damages, foul smells, and noise.

In Ontario, landlords are not allowed to reject tenants who have animals. The only exception is for condominiums. The province of British Columbia has a law about having service dogs in a rental. They are legally permitted to stay in rented properties, and the landlords cannot require a pet damage deposit for them.

However, some tenants will find it a disadvantage. According to the survey, 56% of Canadians have at least one pet in their home, and that is a lot. Imagine if the landlord misses out on those potential tenants because of their no-pet policy. If you know a landlord who has this rule, you might want to open up the possibility of changing it.

To help you support this argument, here are some of the advantages of offering a pet-friendly property:

• Animals are intelligent creatures, and staying in a place for a long time develops their familiarity. Their pets recognize the rental as their homes, too. It will encourage them to stay longer rather than have their furry companions adjust to a new environment.
• Pet owners are likely responsible because they can take care of a living creature. The tenants are also aware that they need to be extra careful with the property because they are liable.
• Having a pet-friendly rental will attract more tenants than before. And that would mean having a low vacancy rate for the landlord.
• The landlord can add other fees in the lease agreement which pertain to having pets. They may or may not be refundable.
• Tenants who insist on having pets will more likely to pay for the extra charge. Some pet owners are willing to spend money on their animals because they bring them comfort and a sense of companionship.

Once you convince the landlord to overrule the no-pet policy, you can help them avoid the problems of having pets. Listed below are some tips on how to go about this decision:

• The landlord has to consider the state of his property. Is it big enough for the tenants and their pets? The rental might also include a lot of breakables, and having animals around increases the chance of damages. • Another thing to consider is the neighborhood. The property owner should check if their neighbors have pets or want a quiet atmosphere. We don’t want any noise complaints.
• Have an addendum to the lease agreement about pet or damage deposits. It should include the policies about liabilities for pet-related concerns and tenant responsibilities as a pet owner. For this item, landlords must check their laws about the fees. For example, the Residential Tenancies Act in Ontario states asking for a security deposit is a no-no.
• Include pet screening when you screen the tenants. It is better to meet them in person to get the chance to observe them. You may see how they handle their pets when they get rowdy. Do they reprimand the animal or ignore it?
• If the tenants included a reference in their application, utilize it for screening. Past landlords can give you an idea of how the tenant’s pet is and if the renter can manage it.

Once you convince the landlord to allow animals in their rented property, use that advantage to advertise. You will entice more tenants to rent by including it in your property listing at Padleads. You can even syndicate the listing to other websites to reach more people.

The best way to decide on going the pet-friendly route is to weigh the pros and cons. Oh, and knowing the law. Having pets in a property can pose risks, but it can also become an advantage depending on how we look at it. As long as the landlord knows how to handle allowing pets, it wouldn’t be much of a problem.