The Perils of Pets and Property Management
“Do you allow pets?” As a property manager, this very question can evoke fear, dread, or indifference in your mind.
Pet ownership and property rental is one of the greatest challenges, and perhaps most difficult obstacles you face in your line of work. Considering many people own pets and the growing challenge of filling properties with responsible tenants that pay on time, allowing pets in rental property is becoming more common - but the challenges are sure to ensue.
Because your client allows small pets, you answer the question the best you can, “yes, but only ones who behave, are small in size, and don’t disturb the other tenants.” The potential leaseholder goes on to reassure you, “oh no, not my Pootsy. She is just a small dog and doesn’t bother a thing!”
Reluctantly, you approve. The issue at …show more content…
Turns out Pootsy has spent a lot of time alone, locked in a crate while the tenant is at work. Not enjoying the solitude, the dog reportedly barks, howls, and cries the entire time the tenant is away. Once the tenant returns, there is no problem and the dog is again quiet. You assure the tenant that placed the complaint that you will talk to the new leaseholder about the noise level and find a solution.
So you talk to the new tenant. Their response? “Not my Pootsy, she is just as quiet and sweet as can be, I have never heard her bark, but I will do my best to ensure this never happens.”
You find yourself stuck in the middle. You spend some time on site and hear the barking and howling for yourself. How do you convince the new tenant that the noise is persisting whenever the dog is left alone? One thing you can do is to use your home inspection app to record the noise level from outside of the apartment when the tenant is gone in order to bring the issue to the tenant’s attention and protect
“Do you allow pets?” As a property manager, this very question can evoke fear, dread, or indifference in your mind.
Pet ownership and property rental is one of the greatest challenges, and perhaps most difficult obstacles you face in your line of work. Considering many people own pets and the growing challenge of filling properties with responsible tenants that pay on time, allowing pets in rental property is becoming more common - but the challenges are sure to ensue.
Because your client allows small pets, you answer the question the best you can, “yes, but only ones who behave, are small in size, and don’t disturb the other tenants.” The potential leaseholder goes on to reassure you, “oh no, not my Pootsy. She is just a small dog and doesn’t bother a thing!”
Reluctantly, you approve. The issue at …show more content…
Turns out Pootsy has spent a lot of time alone, locked in a crate while the tenant is at work. Not enjoying the solitude, the dog reportedly barks, howls, and cries the entire time the tenant is away. Once the tenant returns, there is no problem and the dog is again quiet. You assure the tenant that placed the complaint that you will talk to the new leaseholder about the noise level and find a solution.
So you talk to the new tenant. Their response? “Not my Pootsy, she is just as quiet and sweet as can be, I have never heard her bark, but I will do my best to ensure this never happens.”
You find yourself stuck in the middle. You spend some time on site and hear the barking and howling for yourself. How do you convince the new tenant that the noise is persisting whenever the dog is left alone? One thing you can do is to use your home inspection app to record the noise level from outside of the apartment when the tenant is gone in order to bring the issue to the tenant’s attention and protect