Allowing Pets in Your Tucson Rental
Whether you have a short-term rental or long-term rental, a Tucson property manager can tell you it doesn’t take very long for a disgruntled or ill pet to seriously damage your property. Even the most well-behaved animals can act out if they’re under enough stress or in enough pain.
Of course, when nearly 87 million people in the US alone have pets, you can see how banning pets entirely would impact on your bottom line. We’ll look at both sides of the issue here and why it’s so important to have contingencies in place regardless of which option you choose.
Pet Pros
The most obvious benefit of allowing pets is that you widen your target demographic. Not only will you have the advantage over many of your competitors, but you can charge more per night in addition to a security deposit in case of damages. It’s clear that renters are willing to spend more to be with their pet, especially if it’s a short-term rental where they can strike the cost of a boarder or sitter off their list.
If you start allowing pets, you can expect the following:
- Lower vacancy rates: As a general rule, properties that allow pets rarely sit empty. If you’ve been struggling to compete in the Tucson area, this could be enough to move your bottom line in the right direction.
- Higher incomes: Most people will pay around $25+ more per night. This is in addition to putting down a security deposit and paying a little more for the cleaning fees.
Pet Cons
While you might gain an edge in the marketplace, there are good reasons why many Tuscon rental property owners just aren’t willing to take the chance:
- Cleaning hassles: It’s not just fur that you have to deal with, it’s the scent of the animal that can burrow its way deep into your carpet fibers and cushions.
- Damages: Claws, teeth, and even just the general heft of a pet’s body can wreak havoc on everything from the floors to the fixtures.
- Complaints: Not all pets are well-behaved, and not all pet owners are sensitive to their neighbors’ right to peace and quiet. These kinds of arguments can get contentious, and they can escalate faster than you want them to.
- Bugs: Fleas and ticks are one thing, but you also have to consider other suspects (e.g., bed bugs, lice, etc.). These bugs can be difficult to find at first, which can lead to a major infestation.
Finding a Tucson Property Manager
A Tucson property manager can tell you that, despite all the risks, most pets and their owners are well-behaved and responsible. With the right screening process, security deposits, and cleaning crew, you can mitigate the vast majority of threats to your property. If you’re looking for a Tucson rental property manager who can help you keep disasters at bay, Bancroft & Associates is trusted all over the city to ensure that property owners only reap the rewards of their investments.