As a responsible landlord in San Mateo, California, you know the importance of background checks. Evaluating a renter's personal and professional history gives you a good idea of how they'll treat your property. However, have you ever thought about performing a pet screening?
If you've decided to allow pets in a rental property, this can be a great way to make sure only the most responsible and well-behaved critters get to call your home their own. Today, we're sharing a few ways to approach this step and why it's important.
What Is a Pet Screening?
Put simply, a pet screening allows you to evaluate an animal's temperament, health, and behavior before letting them live in your rental property. While there are many different pet policies you can set, this is an important process for anyone who plans to allow four-legged residents in their space.
You can choose the terms you want to set for the screening. Most landlords require renters to bring the following documents to the visit:
- Pet vaccination records
- References from former landlords
- Pet resume
- Letter from veterinarian
A pet resume is a short document that lists basic information about the animal, such as their breed, age, and weight. In addition, it should also include a more detailed description of their behavior, eating and grooming habits, and any training they've received.
Conducting the Interview
In addition to collecting the required screening documents, it's also helpful to sit down with the pet owner. Conduct a short interview to learn more about their pet, how they interact with them at home, and what you can expect if you allow them at your property.
Some of the questions you can ask during this time include:
- How do you plan to pick up after your pet?
- How will you exercise your pet?
- Is your pet spayed or neutered?
- Does your pet make a lot of noise?
- What will your pet do when you're not at home?
Ideally, the renter will have a plan in place to make sure their pet doesn't disrupt nearby residents. They'll also know how to keep your property clean and avoid damage.
What About Service Animals?
In most cases, you don't have to conduct a pet screening for service animals. That's because the Fair Housing Act does not classify them as pets.
Yet, this isn't the case for emotional support animals. Those pets aren't covered under the same legal policies so you may decide to screen them according to your own guidelines. Here's a quick breakdown of how these animals differ.
Allowing Pets in a Rental Property
Offering pet friendly rentals is a great way to attract more tenants and improve your marketability. However, you don't want to let just any furry pal into your space.
Screening pets beforehand helps you set limits on what you will and will not allow. For example, you may choose to only permit cats that have certain vaccinations or dogs that don't shed.
If you've decided to allow pets in a rental property, let us help. Our property management team can help you create and manage your pet screening process from start to finish. Contact us today to learn more!
