Feature

Pet Policy Guidelines

by the San Francisco Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals

If you’re a landlord wondering about the benefits of renting to pet owners, the following are some general guidelines to consider when setting up a pet policy. These are not hard and fast rules, and policies for individual properties should be designed to best meet your specific needs.

Benefits of Renting to Tenants with Pets:

lowers vacancy rates;
reduces tenant turnover rates;
broadens the pool of prospective tenants; and
promotes a sense of tenant safety and security

Start with Screening
Careful screening of prospective
tenants is the first step to a successful pet
policy. By asking a few simple questions, property owners can screen out irresponsible pet owners and find the responsible ones who will make good tenants.

Put it in Writing
A written agreement protects the interests of both property owner and tenant, and pet rules and procedures help avoid misunderstandings.

Charge Reasonable Pet Deposits
What is reasonable may vary, depending on the nature of each rental. While many landlords don't charge any additional pet deposit, one recent survey showed that the most common pet deposit was $150.

Establish Limits
Limit permissible animals to common pets like dogs, cats, rodents, fish, and birds. A policy on how many pets each tenant may own can also help keep the building's pet population at manageable levels.

Set Parameters
Should certain types of pets be confined to tenants' apartments? Should other pets be permitted in all or only parts of the common areas? Should dogs be leashed when in hallways and other communal areas? Establish pet regulations in advance, before any conflicts arise.

Ensure Cleanliness
A responsible pet owner will agree to immediately pick up and dispose of dog feces, bag kitty litter before placing it in garbage containers, and take other necessary sanitation measures.

Require Spaying and Neutering
Spayed and neutered animals are generally healthier, better behaved, and more suited to apartment living than their unaltered counterparts.

Determine Emergency Arrangements
Property owners may want to keep a file with the names and addresses of each pet’s veterinarian and substitute caretakers designated by the tenant.

Put Disciplinary Procedures in Writing
These procedures might include a provision for warning(s) before any
punitive measures are taken. Whatever the policy, fair and consistent enforcement will reduce disputes and make for better relations between management and tenants.

Available Services for Tenants
Pet owners in San Francisco are lucky to have plenty of pet-related services at their disposal. Dozens of dog walkers and pet sitters are available in the city, and the San Francisco SPCA offers dog training classes, cat behavior videos, low-cost spay neuter clinic, an animal behavior help line, and more.

Join the “Pet’s OK” Referral Program
The San Francisco SPCA is committed to helping landlords and responsible
tenants open their doors to pets and the many benefits they can provide. The Open Door program offers many services for landlords and tenants, including this referral list of “pets o.k.” property management companies and apartments in San Francisco.

The opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the viewpoint of the SFAA or the San Francisco Apartment Magazine. If you would like to know more information about the Open Door Program, or to receive a complete package on the program, please email the San Francisco SPCA at publicrelations@sfspca.org, or call 415-554-3050. Copyright © 2004 by SF SPCA. All Rights Reserved.