How to Create a Pet-Friendly Rental?
Admin
Published Date: 2014-05-16
So you decided to allow pets?
Tips to making your home a pet-friendly rental.
43% of CHBO Property Owners say "Yes" we do accept pets. We previously discussed several compelling reasons why you should consider allowing pets in your corporate rental. If you decide to do so, follow these tips to make your home more welcoming and safe for pets.
Use a semi-gloss paint on the walls. Semi-gloss paint makes it easy to clean pet gunk off your walls simply with soapy water and a sponge. For difficult stains, try Mr. Clean's Magic Eraser. It's amazing at cleaning dirt and grime off walls.
Avoid having exposed hardwood floors. Keep hardwood covered with large rugs and runners or opt for Pergo or carpeted flooring. Exposed hardwood floors can get scratched by a dog or cat's nails.
Keep pet feeding supplies on hand, like a bowl for food and a bowl for water. It's unlikely a homeowner would travel with those supplies and they might end up using your good dishes to feed Miss. Kitty - ick!
Invest in a good vacuum. Encourage your homeowners to vacuum weekly or ask them to pay an extra fee for a weekly cleaning service. Pet owners are happy to pay extra if you let them keep their animal in tow.
Set ground rules. Be clear that all dog poo must be picked up. Leave plenty of baggies to encourage pet poo pick up. Also, discuss with your renter the possibilities the dog could bark and disturb neighbors, damage property, and other issues ahead of time. Set a plan for handling such situations so there are no conflicts.
Buy some treats. Think about leaving a few dog treats or toys in your home to show the homeowner you're welcoming not only the humans but also the animals too.
Create list of nearby kennels. Create a list of nearby kennels and insert it into your Property Manual to make it easy for tenants to find what they need should they take a weekend away from your property.
Bonus Tip! Make sure your listing mentions that your property is “pet-friendly.” The opposite is true too. If you have a “no pet policy” in place, your property may be appealing to someone with allergies and you should mention in your listing that you don’t allow pets under any circumstances.
Learn more about Pet Fees and other trends in the CHBO Annual Report.
