Reasons to have pet-friendly apartments

There are pros to letting animals live on property. And we mean more than just fish.

We promise our pets didn’t write this! There really are many good reasons for you to have pet-friendly apartments. Landlords, you may worry about cleanliness. But tenants with good records usually won’t cause a problem or allow their pets to cause problems either. 

The pros seem to outweigh the cons when letting furry companions into your properties. The proof is in the paws. We’ve compiled some reasons landlords should consider the benefits of pet-friendly apartments.

Allow furry friends in your properties to get more applications.

Create a listing with the pet-friendly feature →

Increased demand

Pets offer companionship and emotional support to their owners. No wonder pet ownership has increased over the last few decades, with 66% of current households in the United States owning pets. 

More people will want to live in your rental when you allow fuzzy buddies.

If you opt to deny pets, you may miss out on a large portion of the rental pool. According to the American Apartment Owners Association, around 70% of renters have pets. And according to a survey from Apartments.com, 90% of renters want pet-friendly apartments. In fact, some states are proposing laws to require landlords to allow all pets, even if they are not service or support animals. 

Higher rent potential

You may be able to charge a bit more if you have pet-friendly apartments. Pet owners consider their pets to be part of their families and are willing to pay extra to keep their pets with them. That doesn’t mean charging an exorbitant amount of monthly fees to allow pets, but an increase of $25-50 per month’s rent is appropriate. You can also require an extra pet deposit of $200-400 to cover any potential mishaps.

Reduced vacancy, longer tenure

Packing up an apartment full of human stuff is hard enough. Figuring out a place for Fido and all his toys to live too is another obstacle. Having pet-friendly rental properties can increase your chances of tenants staying put for longer periods of time. And allowing pets decreases the chance that your rental will sit empty for extended periods of time. You may also end up paying less for advertising if you allow pets. 

Tenant satisfaction

Having happy tenants will only make your job as a landlord easier. According to the American Heart Association, cohabitation with pets can decrease stress and help build a better community. Science Daily showed that interacting with pets lowered cortisol levels. Having less stressed tenants sounds nice, right?

Happy tenants means longer leases.

When humans have furry companions to connect with, they tend to be more responsible, productive and purposeful. Tenants who make the effort to secure pet-friendly apartments often take the time required to ensure their pets are well-behaved residents. More renters being allowed to have pets means more satisfied tenants, longer leases and more income.

Browse pet-friendly listings now →

Legal and tax advantages

If you invested in multi-unit complexes, you may be able to write off property upgrades on your taxes. You could include dog parks, pet washing stations or pet play areas inside the complex. 

You may also be able to avoid any legal complications around service or emotional support animals if you just have a whole unit of pet-friendly apartments. You will need to consult a tax advisor in your area to ensure you meet legal requirements. 

Creating pet-friendly spaces in your complex will benefit both landlords and tenants.

Pet-friendly apartments may also get more paws-itive reviews than those that do not allow pets at all. This could enhance your reputation as a property owner and increase the amount of reliable tenants living in your properties. 

Create a listing with the pet-friendly feature →

If you and your pet need a place to call home, browse pet-friendly apartment listings on KSL Homes.