 |
| Chris Heller |
SURVEY HIGHLIGHTS:
· 82% of pet
owners would be willing to pay an additional fee to keep them.
· Half of
renters are put off pet ownership due to the challenges they would have
keeping them.
· Interactive
map included.
PORTLAND, OR --
Rental Ruff: Having a pet, and renting a property,
poses challenges. Landlords are often reluctant to allow them – barking, shredded
cushions, scratched furniture being some of the reasons.
Renters have it tough
enough as it is, with landlords always having the upper hand in the situation,
so it seems a shame that pets are often not made to feel welcome in a rented
property.
A survey of 3,000 pet-owning tenants by AgentAdvice.com has revealed the extent to which they are prepared to pay to live with their pets.
The survey found that 82% of pet owners would be willing to pay an additional fee to keep their furry friend in the rental property with them.
The average pet-owning renter would be prepared to pay a whopping $4,508 annually to live with their pet!
However, the study
also revealed that a signficiant proportion want the best of both worlds - that
is - to continue living with their pets, but not having to pay any premium in
order to do so.
AgentAdvice.com discovered
that 18% of pet-owning renters admit to not disclosing this to
their landlords (equating to 7,747,601 illegal pets) - that’s
a lot of barking to try and cough over, or scratched table legs to try and
cover up.
The guiltiest pet
owners are in Vermont, with the percentage of households hiding illegal pets reaching
50%, or 36,791 furry friends. The most law-abiding pet-owning renters live in
Indiana, where the figure is just 4%, or 32,400 pets.
Infographic with study results (click on 'embed' to host map on your site)
The research also
revealed that two thirds thought it was fair for landlords to ask tenants to
leave the property if it turned out they had pets which were not permitted.
But sadly, the challenge of finding a rental property which allows pets discourages 58% of people from getting a pet if they are renters.
"Caring for a
pet is a responsibility that requires commitment and dedication, yet the
current rental market often makes it challenging for pet owners to find suitable
and affordable accommodations. Discriminatory pet policies and limited
pet-friendly options not only place an undue burden on renters, but also deny
them the joy and companionship that pets bring to their lives." says Chris
Heller of AgentAdvice.com.
AgentAdvice.com have
provided four tips for convincing your landlord to allow you to have a pet in
your rental:
1. Talk to Your Landlord
Getting permission to
have a pet as a renter can be difficult as landlords may include a "No
Pets" clause in the lease to maintain control over how many pets are in
their properties.
However, if you have a
good relationship with your landlord and are a responsible tenant, you may be
able to persuade them to allow a pet. Providing documentation on your
prospective pet's health history and training plans can strengthen your case.
Many landlords will
make exceptions for excellent tenants who are positive contributors to the
rental community.
2.
Be Flexible
To convince your
landlord to allow a pet in your rental, it's important to be flexible with your
pet choices. Many landlords have restrictions on the type or size of pets
allowed due to noise or potential damage.
If your landlord approves a pet with certain restrictions, consider being more selective in your choice of pet. However, if you have a good relationship with your landlord, it's possible they may make exceptions for a responsible and reliable tenant.
So don't be afraid to
have a conversation about the possibility of bringing in a larger pet.
3.
Providing Documentation
If you're a pet owner
looking to move into a new rental property, providing additional documentation
can help show your landlord that you're a responsible pet owner.
This may include a letter from your current
landlord, vet records, training records, and spay/neuter records.
By demonstrating that your pet is
well-behaved and non-disruptive, you can alleviate any concerns your landlord
may have about potential property damage or disturbance to other renters.
4. Offer to Pay More
To convince your
landlord to allow a pet, offering to pay extra in the form of a deposit or
monthly charge can show that you are committed to being a responsible pet
owner.
While some
pet-friendly rentals have upfront policies regarding deposits or rent
surcharges, it's possible to convince some landlords who don't allow pets to
make exceptions if you offer to pay extra. However, pet deposits can be
expensive, so be sure to have the necessary budget before making the offer.
CONTACTS:
Anna
Bristow
3415 NE 25th Avenue,
Portland, OR 97212
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