Should You Allow Pets in Your Rental Property?

Megan Bullock/Apartments.com • May 2, 2021

It’s no secret that most pet owners treat their pets like family, so when it comes time to find a new home, these renters will be looking for pet-friendly rentals. This begs the question, should you allow pets in your rental property? If this question is weighing on your mind, you’re in the right place. It’s true that allowing pets in your rental gives you access to a larger pool of interested renters, but this decision also comes with a few risks. Before you decide where your rental fits in the mix, let’s weigh the benefits and risks of having a pet-friendly rental.

Benefits of Allowing Pets in You Rental Property

If you decide to list your rental online as “pet friendly,” you’ll enjoy several benefits, including the opportunity to:

Make more in rental fees

By allowing pets in your rental property, you are essentially adding another tenant (or a few, if you allow). Although this furry tenant won’t be responsible for splitting the rent, their presence will require some additional payments. Pet fees, pet deposits, and pet rent are a few of the ways you can make more in rental fees by allowing pets.

You will collect a non-refundable pet fee from your pet-owning tenant before or on move-in day. You can also collect a pet deposit at the same time in addition to the pet fee. The only difference is the pet deposit is refundable and will be returned to the tenant in full if there are no pet-related damages to the unit, including soiled carpet, chewed blinds, or scratches on the floor, walls, and moldings. Pet rent is a fee that renters will pay once a month in addition to their base rent.

Depending on your state laws, you can charge one of these rental fees, all three, or a mix. These rental fees will automatically boost your rental income, as well as provide a bit of cushion for potential damages. Be sure to check what competitors in your market are charging for pet fees so that you aren’t under or overselling your rental.

Increase your lease renewal rates

Not every rental allows pets, so if you choose to allow them, your tenants may be incentivized to renew their lease. Many renters will feel more comfortable in a pet-friendly rental, even if they haven’t committed to a furry friend of their own just yet. It gives them the option to do so in the future. If your rental is not pet friendly, and your tenant decides they want a pet, they will have to wait until their lease is up or potentially break their lease early, leaving you to find a new tenant once they’re gone. Avoid these potential vacancies by giving pet owners what they want — a good home for their fur family.

Expand your list of potential tenants

As discussed, not all rentals allow pets, which automatically limits those landlords to only renters without pets. If you choose not to allow pets in your rental, you risk losing some potentially great tenants simply because they are pet owners. Your list of potential tenants will expand immediately if you list your rental as pet friendly. As more and more renters become pet parents, your pool of potential tenants will continue to grow.

Risks of Allowing Pets in Your Rental Property

Allowing pets in your rental is a great way to show tenants your flexibility, but it’s important to consider the risks of doing so before you proceed.

Increased chances of property damage

It’s common for pet damage to occur in pet-friendly rentals, even if it only involves minor issues. Soiled carpet, scratched floors and walls, and chewed blinds are just a few examples of common pet damage. Accidents happen, especially with younger pets, but if your tenant isn’t a responsible pet owner, small issues may become bigger problems over time. If a pet is continuously left home alone or not properly taken care of, damage will likely occur.

Potential noise complaints

Pets left alone for several hours at a time, even during normal work or school hours, can be a problem. Incessant barking, howling, or meowing can lead to frustrated neighbors and subsequent noise complaints. In some situations, pet owners may be trying their best to deal with a pet’s separation anxiety, while others may be unaware of the problem. Noise complaints are never ideal, especially when it’s about lonely, bored, or anxious pets. Handling pet noise complaints can prove to be difficult because there is not always a solution to the problem. Pets’ behavior may improve over time, but that’s not always the case.

Abandoned pets

Even worse than a howling pet left home alone is an abandoned pet. By allowing pets in your rental, you run the risk of having a tenant who not only abandons their lease and your unit, but their pet as well. If the pet is left alone for a lengthy period of time, there could be severe damage to your property. Dealing with an abandoned pet and potential damage to your property can be upsetting for both you and the pet. If this happens in your rental and you cannot get in touch with your tenant, call your local animal rescue. This will at least allow the pet to have a second chance for a good home.

Additional Considerations for Allowing Pets in Your Rental

Although benefits and risks are important to think about, there are other pressing issues to consider as well before making your final decision.

Does your insurance company cover all pet breeds?

Not every landlord will have an insurance policy that covers all pets. In fact, many insurance companies have restrictions on what animals and breeds they allow in the policy. For instance, pit bulls and rottweilers are two common dog breeds that are excluded. Before you sign a lease with a pet owner, be sure your policy covers their pet.

How to legally handle service and emotional support animals

Tenants who have service animals or emotional support animals are protected by the American Disabilities Act (ADA). Because of this, landlords are required to allow these animals in their rental whether their unit is pet friendly or not. If your rental is pet friendly, be aware that tenants with a service or emotional support animal are not legally required to pay pet fees, pet deposits, or pet rent. Before your tenant (or their pet) moves in, they are legally obligated under the ADA and Fair Housing Laws to provide you with proper documentation that details their need for the animal.

How to screen tenants with pets

When screening a pet-owning potential tenant, the process will be very similar to screening a tenant without pets. Your tenant screening should include a background and credit check (conveniently provided by TransUnion® if your unit is listed on Apartments.com), as well as professional and landlord references, proof of income, etc. The only additional requirements for pet owners would be to answer a list of questions, such as:

How many pets do you have?
What type of pet(s) do you have?
What breed?
How much does the pet weigh?
Is your pet up to date on shots (specifically rabies)?

You also have the option to set up a pet interview with the potential tenant and their pup. By meeting their pet before move-in day, you can make sure they’re friendly and well behaved.

How to make your rental pet friendly

Allowing pets in your rental is the first step towards growing your pool of potential tenants, but a great way to retain your pet-owning tenants is to install a few pet-friendly amenities and features. Pet-friendly flooring (avoid carpet), a closed-in patio or a fenced-in yard, or a pet door that opens to a fenced-in outdoor space are great ways to make your rental more pet friendly.

The Choice Is Yours

Every property owner must make their own decision when it comes to allowing pets in their rental property. Keep in mind that although there are serious risks, such as property damage, noise complaints, and abandoned pets, more and more renters are becoming pet owners. If you don’t allow pets, your pool of renters will continue to shrink. A great compromise is to create a pet agreement that outlines your requirements, including:

Pet fees, pet deposits, and pet rent
Number of pets allowed per unit
Type, breed, and size of pet

In the agreement, you can also detail your expectations. For example, explain that tenants are required to pick up after pets outdoors, specify cleaning instructions to avoid any leftover pet dander, smell, or damage after your tenant moves out, and reiterate community quiet hours.

Although you are not required to allow pets in your rental property, you have a much better chance of finding a potentially great, long-term tenant in a timely manner if you are flexible with your rental policies and rent to tenants with pets.

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The Best Way to Figure Out If a New Home Would Really Make You Happier

By The Lighter Side of Real Estate • August 2, 2026

It’s common to look around your current home and wish for something better. More space. A different layout. A better location. Fewer compromises. That feeling doesn’t mean there’s anything wrong with your home—or with you. Very few people live in a place that feels perfect forever, and it’s human nature to wonder whether a different home might make you happier. That’s why a recent article from Realtor.com about whether a new home can make you happier can feel a little…conflicting. On one hand, it suggests that buying a new home could increase happiness. On the other hand, it says it might not. It’s an honest take, but it doesn’t really help much. The reality is, there’s rarely a definitive answer. True happiness usually runs deeper than square footage, finishes, or a new address. But if you’re hoping for some real clarity about whether buying a new home will actually make you happier, there may be a place to look for answers that most people don’t initially think to turn to… Most People Start by Venting to Friends, family…and ChatGPT When people start wondering whether a new home would actually make them happier, they usually don’t start by talking to a real estate professional. They start by bouncing it off of the people (and tools) they have in their day-to-day lives, such as: Friends , who know your personality, your habits, and the things you’ve been venting about for years Family members , especially if you’re close-knit—or if they’re providing financial help and feel entitled to weigh in A significant other , since any move will likely impact their life (and happiness) as well ChatGPT and other online tools , are increasingly being used to run scenarios, compare options, or talk through pros and cons Even a therapist , where big life decisions like housing naturally come up Each of these can be genuinely helpful—and in many cases, necessary—to make a thoughtful decision. The problem is that taken together, they can also make the decision more confusing than clarifying. Friends and family often filter advice through their own experiences, regrets, or wins Loved ones may unintentionally project fears or expectations that don’t fully apply to your situation Therapists can help you understand how you feel, but not whether a specific home or market reality actually makes sense Technology can explain concepts, but it doesn’t know your local market, what’s truly available, or which trade-offs are realistic All of these perspectives may help you sort through what you think will make you happy. What they tend to lack, however, is true insight into real estate itself. But Very Few Think to Confide in a Real Estate Agent For many buyers, real estate agents are still viewed through a pretty narrow lens. They’re seen as the person who schedules showings, unlocks doors, writes up paperwork, and—if you’re being cynical—tries to get a deal done as quickly as possible. That perception isn’t entirely surprising, since much of an agent’s work happens behind the scenes. But the truth is, good agents bring far more to the table than they’re usually given credit for—and in many cases, more than they’re ever paid for. Of course, they handle the things most people envision: showing houses, marketing listings, negotiations, inspections, managing timelines, contracts, and all the moving pieces that make a transaction actually happen. But those are just the baseline skills. The real value often lies in what agents learn and refine over years of working with people, not just properties. They’ve watched buyers chase homes they thought would make them happier, but didn’t deliver long-term satisfaction. They’ve helped others find unexpected joy in homes they initially overlooked. They’ve seen decisions driven by emotion work out beautifully—and others unravel under the weight of unrealistic expectations. That experience gives them context that no article, algorithm, or well-meaning friend can replicate. Over time, many agents also develop a set of soft skills that rarely get discussed. They often become an unofficial mix of trusted real estate expert, confidant, sounding board, and—at times—something closer to family. Someone their clients turn to for an uncommon blend of personal perspective and professional insight, wrapped into one relationship. The Sooner You Loop in an Agent, the Clearer the Decision Becomes If you find yourself casually saying things like “If only we had a bigger kitchen,” or “I wish this house had a better layout,” or even half-joking with a friend about how much happier you’d be in a different home, it probably doesn’t feel like a moment that calls for looping in a real estate agent. But that’s actually when bringing an agent into the conversation can be most valuable! A good agent can help you sort through those early thoughts before you make an entirely emotional decision to move forward, or do nothing and cope with a feeling of unhappiness. That doesn’t mean your agent should entirely replace the advice of friends and family, but you should definitely consider adding them in as an objective advisor who also understands the emotional side of the conversation. The Takeaway: It’s completely normal to feel like a new home might make you happier—and sometimes, it really does. That’s why most people start by running their thoughts and feelings by trusted friends, family, or their significant other. Those conversations matter and can be genuinely helpful. But many buyers wait to involve a real estate agent until they’ve already made a firm decision to buy, when in reality, looping one in earlier can be far more valuable. A trusted agent can act as a confidant and objective advisor, helping you sort through emotions, expectations, and real-world possibilities. That early clarity can make all the difference between a move driven by hope alone and one that truly supports long-term happiness.

The Fear Nobody Talks About (But Many First-Time Buyers Feel)

By The Lighter Side of Real Estate • July 31, 2026

When people talk about why they’re not sure they can buy a home yet, they usually point to the obvious things. Prices feel high. Interest rates aren’t what they used to be. It sounds like every decent house has ten offers by Sunday night. All of that is real. And for some people, those factors genuinely do make buying unrealistic. But for a lot of first-time buyers, there’s something sitting just below the surface that they may not even be able to pinpoint themselves: the fear of getting pre-approved for a mortgage. On paper, getting pre-approved is simple. It doesn’t usually take that long. And within the real estate world, it’s treated as a basic first step — something buyers are somehow supposed to just know they should do before they even scroll through the photos of a listing online. What doesn’t get talked about nearly enough is how emotionally loaded that step can feel if you’ve never done it before. Because at a gut level, getting pre-approved can feel like asking a stranger to decide whether you’re worthy of buying a home at all — and if you are, how much you’re allowed to spend. For some people, that brings up anxiety, self-doubt, embarrassment, or a quiet fear of being told “no.” So if you’ve been thinking about buying your first home but keep finding reasons to delay that first step, it might not be about the market at all. It might simply be fear of the answer. The good news is you’re not the only person who feels this way — and with a little perspective, that first step is usually far easier and far less painful than it seems. Why Agents Often Don’t Realize How Scary It Can Feel Real estate agents ask prospective buyers whether they’re pre-approved early on in the process for practical reasons. They’ve seen deals fall apart because a buyer wasn’t financially prepared. They’ve watched people fall in love with homes they couldn’t actually buy. They know sellers take offers more seriously when a lender is already involved. And because agents live in this world every day, it’s easy for them to forget how intimidating that step can feel to someone doing it for the first time. To an agent, calling a lender is routine. To a buyer, it can feel like walking into a test they didn’t study for. None of this means agents are being dismissive or uncaring. Most simply don’t realize that what feels like a small, obvious step to them can feel enormous to someone else. That said, there’s no real way around it. Unless you’re buying with a large amount of cash, getting pre-approved is part of the process. Why It Can Be Scary for First-Time Buyers Some of the fears around pre-approval are very concrete: Is my credit good enough? Do I have enough saved for a down payment? Wait, how much money should I even expect to have for a down payment? What if the amount I’m approved for doesn’t match what homes actually cost in my area? (Or that I actually like enough to buy…) Those are reasonable questions. They’re also questions a lender can usually answer fairly quickly, often with more flexibility than people expect. But there’s another layer to this that doesn’t get addressed as openly. It’s the uncomfortable feeling that comes with handing over your financial life to someone you don’t know yet. Bank statements, debts, income—it can feel exposing. And if money has ever been a source of stress, shame, or insecurity for you, that vulnerability can hit harder than you expect. Many first-time buyers quietly worry they’ll be talked down to, rushed, or made to feel naïve. Or worse, that they’ll be told they’re not ready in a way that feels final or personal. The truth is, a pre-approval conversation isn’t a verdict on your worth. It’s a snapshot. It’s information. And in many cases, even a “not yet” comes with a roadmap that shows you how to get there. How to Find a Lender Who Is Good With First-Timers To be fair, not all lenders are the same. Some are fantastic with first-time buyers. Others may be completely capable of helping any buyer through the process, but lack a certain touch many first-time buyers would appreciate. One of the best ways to find a lender who understands the human side of this process is through a real estate agent. Agents usually work with multiple lenders and know which ones are patient, educational, and supportive—and which ones are better suited for more experienced buyers. Just as important, a good agent doesn’t wait in the wings until you’re “ready” to buy a home. They can be a sounding board while you’re figuring things out. Someone who helps you frame questions, normalize your concerns, and take the pressure off that first call or email. In many cases, agents are doing this long before anyone is touring homes or signing contracts—and usually without charging you for their time or advice. They understand that buying a home isn’t just a transaction; it’s an emotional decision layered on top of a financial one. The right agent and lender don’t judge where you’re starting. They help you understand it. And sometimes, just knowing you’re not taking that first step alone is enough to make it feel manageable. The Takeaway: While many people think that the thing holding most first-time buyers back are housing prices, mortgage rates, and stiff competition, there is often something hidden below the surface getting in the way for some buyers. While agents often look at it as a quick, easy, and fairly painless process, it’s often a scary process for first-time buyers because it can feel like you’re being judged and deemed worthy or not of buying a house. The reality is that getting pre-approved isn’t a judgment or a final verdict on your future as a homeowner. It’s simply a starting point. It gives you clarity instead of guesswork, and information instead of assumptions. And even if the answer isn’t exactly what you hoped for, it almost always comes with guidance on how to move closer to where you want to be. A good agent can connect you with the right lender who can make the process feel far less intimidating by answering questions, setting expectations, and having empathy for what it feels like to be in your shoes.

Is AI the New “Well-Meaning Dad” for Real Estate Buyers and Sellers?

By The Lighter Side of Real Estate • July 29, 2026

People are turning to AI for just about anything you can think of: Trying to figure out if a strange symptom is worth a doctor’s visit Drafting a text they’ve been overthinking for three days Deciding whether that noise coming from their car is “normal” or “you should probably pull over immediately” Even asking how to handle awkward conversations, negotiate a salary, or plan out major life decisions So of course, it makes sense that people buying or selling a home would turn to AI at different stages of the process. And to be fair, it can be incredibly useful. It can give you a general sense of how the process works, help you understand terminology, and prepare you to ask better questions. Ideally, it helps make things smoother. More efficient. More informed. But that really hinges on whether it’s actually giving you accurate information, and whether that information is being interpreted correctly. That’s not to say that AI always gives wrong or even bad advice. But one thing it always gives is…confident advice. And sometimes, that confidence can be misplaced. When Everyone’s AI Answer Is “Right”… Things Can Go Wrong A recent story making the rounds is a perfect example of how this can play out in real life. According to NewsNation , well-known celebrity agent Ryan Serhant shared how a major deal nearly fell apart because both sides were turning to AI for guidance during negotiations. Basically, the seller asked if they were accepting too low of an offer, and AI confidently said yes. On the other hand, the buyer asked if they were paying too much. And, wouldn’t you know it, they were confidently told that they were in fact overpaying. That led to both sides wanting to cancel the contract. The agents involved were able to step in, help their respective clients understand the market data, and ultimately bring the parties back together to salvage the deal. And that’s becoming a more common role in today’s market. Agents are having to help people navigate situations where the challenge isn’t a lack of information… but rather being too certain about the information they are receiving. Very Few People Actually Trust AI, Yet Many Still Follow Its Advice A recent survey found that while only 16% of people say they trust AI “a great deal,” yet many still rely on its answers when making decisions. Even more interesting: 58% of people admit AI has influenced their opinions 32% don’t fully understand how it generates answers And despite all of these things, many people still rely on the confident-sounding answer from AI over a trusted, verified source That’s a tricky combination. Because if you don’t fully understand how something works, it becomes very hard to recognize when it might be wrong. And when the answer is delivered in a way that sounds authoritative, it’s easy to accept it at face value. AI Is the New Dad in the Room In a way, none of this is entirely new. Real estate agents have been navigating this dynamic for years, it just typically comes from different sources. For instance: The well-meaning buyer’s dad at the home inspection. A relative who “sold a lot of houses” in their life. (It was two. And they were in the 80s and 90s.) Their hair stylist who knows every house on the market in town. That’s just to name a few examples. There are plenty of other people with thoughts and opinions they want to share with someone who is in the middle of buying or selling a home. And, while they come in all shapes and sizes, the one thing they all have in common is that they are absolutely, 100% confident in the advice they give. Unfortunately, their perspective and advice is often wrong or outdated, which puts the agent in a tough spot because they have to gently untangle advice that sounds logical, but isn’t actually good advice. People are often speculating how many jobs AI will replace in the near future. Will it replace the well-meaning friend or family member soliciting advice to home buyers and sellers? Probably not. Most likely AI will just be added to the list of outside advice agents have to help their clients assess and decide whether it’s accurate or not. And that’s really what this all comes down to. By all means, use AI. Ask it questions. Get a feel for things. Explore different angles. And while you’re at it, hear out the thoughts and advice of friends, family, and even that random person who sounds incredibly confident in what they’re saying. There’s nothing wrong with gathering input. But at the end of the day, just make sure you have an agent you trust helping you weigh the confident-sounding advice… so you can make a confident decision of your own. The Takeaway: More and more people are turning to AI for advice, and when it comes to buying or selling a home, that’s no exception. It can be a helpful starting point, giving you a general understanding of the process and helping you feel more prepared. The challenge is that AI often delivers confident answers that can sound right… even when they don’t fully apply. That’s why having a trusted agent matters. Not just to provide information, but to help you interpret what you’re hearing from AI (or even a well-meaning friend or relative), filter out what doesn’t apply, and guide you toward decisions that actually work in your specific situation.