How many pets are too many?
Some landlords believe that even one pet is one pet too many in their rental property. If that’s your policy, then that’s that. But if you allow pets, you should have a plan on how many to allow.
Related: The definitive guide to renting to tenants with pets
It would be easy to tell you that two dogs and three cats, for example, are too many. But, unfortunately, there isn’t one answer for all situations. You ultimately have to decide how many pets you will allow. But you’re in luck—here are six guidelines to help you determine how many pets to allow.
1. Follow the law in your area
If your rental property is in a rural area, there probably aren’t any laws on the number of animals people can keep. But urban and suburban living is another matter. Many cities limit the number of animals per residence. If yours does, you could make that your limit, too. Your pet policy could also be more restrictive than your town’s—you just can’t allow more animals than the law allows.
2. Abide by your HOA policy
If a homeowner’s association governs your rental property, check to see whether there are any restrictions on keeping pets.
3. Consider the size of your property
The smaller the living space the fewer animals you should allow. Too many dogs or cats in a small space can be trouble. Think of the noise, not to mention the smell. The risk of damage to your property is also greater the more animals you allow.
Try using pet ownership statistics as a guide. The American Veterinary Medical Association ran some stats in in 2012. (This is latest published.) The average number of dogs owned by households was 1.6, and the average number of cats was 2.1.
4. Choose the types of pet
The type of pet you allow can also factor into the number you’ll let your renters keep. Some landlords, for example, allow dogs and not cats, and some allow cats but not dogs.
5. Pick the pet’s size
Of the landlords who allow dogs, many place size restrictions. These landlords, for example, allow dogs but only dogs under 60 or 40 pounds, for example. Some might allow only small lap dogs, 20 pounds or less.
If you don’t limit the size, you might be comfortable allowing only one big dog but two smaller dogs. Whatever you decide, make it your policy to approve any pet, discuss your policy with your renters, and include your policy in your lease.
Here’s a sample of what I have in my lease:
No animal may be kept on the Premises without Landlord’s prior written consent, except animals needed by tenants who have a disability, as that term is understood by law. Tenant may keep X [I list the pet(s)] under the following conditions: pet waste be picked up promptly and properly disposed of, and that owner keeps pet leashed at all times when outside and not in the fenced yard, and that pet does not become a nuisance to neighbors.
6. Think about prohibiting attack dogs
Another restriction you might consider is not allowing attack dogs, such as a pit bull, German shepherd, or Rottweiler. Of course, these dogs are not inherently bad dogs, and we are not saying they are. But any attack dog, if not properly trained by their owner, can be dangerous, and that is a liability not all landlords want to take.
Note that any untrained dog can pose a danger, but the danger is generally greater with attack dogs.
Related: Landlord liability when a tenant’s dog bites someone
Reasons to allow pets
There are some definite pros to consider when renting to tenants with pets.
You will open your rental properties to a bigger market.
Tenants with pets tend to stay longer since it’s more difficult to find rentals that allow pets.
You can charge extra for the privilege of keeping a pet in your property. After all, pets do tend to cause more wear and tear. Plus, by charging pet rent, you are leveling the playing field between tenants with and without pets, helping ensure pet-less renters don’t always win over renters with pets.
You are helping prevent pets from being abandoned or sent to shelters.
Related: Pet deposits, pet fees, and pet rent—what’s the difference
A note about service animals
Many landlords must abide by the Fair Housing Act. The FHAct, regarding animals, says that landlords must allow service animals, which are defined as dogs that are “trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of an individual with a disability.” Think a guide dog for a blind person.
There is a gray area regarding assistant or emotional support animals, which can be dogs, cats, or other types of companion animals. Generally, if a potential renter gives you a signed letter from their doctor stating that they have a disability and that their pet helps them, the FHAct says that you need to make a “reasonable accommodation” for that animal. Think a seizure-detecting cat or a dog that relieves a person’s anxiety.
FHA guidelines generally don’t apply to buildings with fewer than five units with one occupied by the landlord or single-family homes that you rent without using a broker.
The bottom line
There isn’t such a thing as an exact number of pets landlords should allow. But it’s a good idea for you to have some sort of pet policy in place that you go over with your tenants before they move in and that you include in your lease.
