Pet Policies and Your Los Angeles Property Management

Anyone who owns rental properties in L.A. knows how competitive the market is right now. It's honestly a renter's market, meaning the renter has the ability to make more demands now than they used to. One of the most popular demands among renters is for landlords to allow pets in their properties. If you've been involved in Los Angeles property management for long, then you know that pets can be dangerous for investment properties, but you also know that your odds of leasing your rentals faster go up when you allow pets in your Los Angeles rentals.

If you're a new investor, you may be wondering how exactly you and your Los Angeles property management team should handle the pet issue. Whether or not to allow renters to have pets in your Los Angeles homes for rent is entirely up to you. You don't have to do it if you don't want to take the risk of having to make pet-related repairs later. However, if you do decide to allow pets, make sure you have the following criteria listed in your lease agreement.

• Pet Requirements - You need to make sure that your least agreement includes specific language outlining the types of pets you allow and any other pet requirements you have. For instance, many Los Angeles property management professionals recommend that investors determine how big (weight-wise) pets can be, how many pets are allowed in one rental, and what kinds of pets are allowed. This also includes outlining any specific pets that are not allowed in your rentals, for instance, dangerous dog breeds.
  
  
• Approval Required - Another good requirement to have in your lease agreement is that before a tenant can have a pet, they have to get it approved by you, or your Los Angeles property manager, first. This ensures no pet is unaccounted for in your rentals...and if one is found that you haven't approved, you have grounds to start the eviction process if necessary.

Non-Refundable Deposit - Finally, the last thing you need to have in your lease is a clause requiring an up-front, non-refundable deposit to be paid for each pet owned by a tenant. This money will need to be put aside and used when the tenant moves out to have the carpets cleaned and any damage repaired before you find another tenant. Non-refundable pet deposits just protect you.