“A dog is a man’s best friend” has been a saying to indicate the companionship we find with our animals for a long time. This statement has never been more applicable to the average household as pet ownership numbers have continually grown. Nearly 65% of households own a pet, and a recent survey by Apartments.com has shown that almost 72% of renters have pets.
As a Hartford landlord, it is vital that you are aware of the present trends that can affect your business. The Humane Society of America recently published an article directed at investment homeowners and landlords that showed the benefits of renting to pet owners, noting that landlords have a bigger pool of applicants to select from and that these residents tend to stay longer in a unit, cutting down advertising and turnover costs.
When you work with Real Property Management Greater Milwaukee Suburbs, we help make sure that your property is paired with the right residents, and their pets, if you decide to allow this on your property. Find out more about how to pet-proof your Hartford rental property today.
Why You Should Pet-Proof Your Property
One of the main reasons why you should pet-proof your property is to draw in more quality and qualified residents that keep our rental property business healthy. By foreseeing renting to a pet owner, you can make changes to your lease agreement and actual property to prepare for a pet to reside in your rental property.
Many landlords worry they will have a “bad pet” and regret letting them on the property. This, however, can typically be prevented with the proper pet screening procedure, which ensures that the pet has been screened and accepted just as a resident would be.
Pet-proofing your property is one of the top ways to control potential damage to your property. While the security deposit that your resident provides would cover any damage caused, no one wants to redo the floors or give the walls a new layer of paint before it is needed. By making pet-smart decisions regarding your rental property, you can avoid this in the first place and do business with homeowners with pets.
How to Pet-Proof Your Property
Nevertheless, whether your property has already been prepared for residents or if you are in the remodeling stage, there are several easy ways to pet-proof your property. Save money by using these cost-effective ways to rent to pet owners with fewer possible headaches.
Flooring seems to be the biggest worry for landlords when renting to pets, fearing that their lovely hardwood floor will be destroyed. This can be protected by using polyurethane, which seals wooden floors and protects against these aspects or when remodeling, you can install laminate flooring that looks like wood flooring but holds up better to traffic.
Also, give some thought into the exterior of your home. Consider pet doors or granting the authority to have them installed if you have a fenced yard. Patios and balcony railings should be made safer with gates, plexiglass, and so on. Furthermore, the paint you use in the home can go a long way to making sure you protect your investment. While flat paint may be cheaper to apply, semi-gloss or velvet paint allows for easier wipe-down and clean up when friends have mishaps, furry or otherwise.
Weighty, thick blinds are perfect both to keep your rental property cool in the summer and trap heat in the winter, but also to prevent an animal pulling down blinds or playing with any flimsy cord or fabric. Baby gates can also be used, but this is something you will want to task your resident to provide and protect.
Take advantage of these pet-proofing tips for your Hartford rental property and start reaping the benefits of allowing pets on your property. If you would like more information about Real Property Management Greater Milwaukee and our services, contact us online or call us at 262-309-6961 today.
We are pledged to the letter and spirit of U.S. policy for the achievement of equal housing opportunity throughout the Nation. See Equal Housing Opportunity Statement for more information.
