“A dog is a man’s best friend” has long been an adage to suggest the relationship we have with our animals. This statement has never been more appropriate for the regular household as pet ownership numbers have steadfastly risen. Nearly 65% of households have a pet, and a recent survey by Apartments.com has shown that approximately 72% of renters have pets.
As a Charles County Maryland landlord, it is important that you are aware of the current trends that can affect your business. The Humane Society of America published a recent article directed at investment homeowners and landlords that outlined the benefits of renting to pet owners, noting that landlords have a larger pool of applicants to select from and that these residents tend to remain longer in a unit, cutting down on costs of advertising and turnover.
When you choose Real Property Management Gold, we help make sure that your property is matched with the correct residents, and their pets, if you decide to permit this on your property. Find out more about how to pet-proof your Charles County Maryland rental property today.
Why You Should Pet-Proof Your Property
One of the main reasons why you should pet-proof your property is to entice more quality and qualified residents that keep our rental property business healthy. By anticipating renting to a pet owner, you can make improvements to your lease agreement and physical property to prepare for a pet resident in your rental property.
Many landlords are apprehensive they will get a “bad pet” and feel contrite about allowing them on the property. This can generally be shunned however with the correct pet screening procedure, which assures that the pet has been screened and approved just as a resident would be.
Pet proofing your property is one of the best ways to limit possible damage to your property. While the security deposit that your resident makes would cover any incurred damage, no one wants to redo the floors or give the walls a new layer of paint before it is needed. By making pet-smart decisions with your rental property, you can prevent this and do business with homeowners with pets.
How to Pet-Proof Your Property
Notwithstanding whether your property has already been prepared for residents, or if you are in a remodeling stage, there are various simple ways to pet-proof your property. Save money by using these economical ways to rent to pet owners with fewer likely concerns.
Flooring looks to be the biggest care for landlords when renting to pets, troubled that their lovely hardwood floor will be impaired. This can be shielded by using Polyurethane, which seals wooden floors and shields against these aspects, or when remodeling; you may contemplate installing laminate flooring that looks like wood flooring but holds up better to traffic.
Give some thought to your home’s exterior as well. Consider pet doors or granting the authority to have them installed if you have a fenced yard. Patios and balcony railings can be made to be safer with gates, plexiglass, etc. Moreover, the paint you use in the home can go a long way in ensuring the protection of your investment. While flat paint may be cheaper to apply, semi-gloss or velvet paint allows for easier wipe-down and clean up when friends have mishaps, furry or otherwise.
Weighty, thick blinds are perfect both to keep your rental property cool in the summer and trap heat in the winter, but also to protect against an animal pulling down blinds or playing with any flimsy cord or fabric. Baby gates can also be used, however, this is something you will want to task your resident with providing and protecting with.
Take advantage of these pet-proofing tips for your Charles County Maryland rental property and begin seeing the benefits of allowing pets on your property. If you need more information about Real Property Management Gold and the services we offer, contact us online or call us at 301-392-2172 today.
We are pledged to the letter and spirit of U.S. policy for the achievement of equal housing opportunity throughout the Nation. See Equal Housing Opportunity Statement for more information.
