It’s not uncommon for landlords to specify that they don’t allow tenants to have pets. Some of the key reasons for not allowing animals are concerns about the property or furnishings being damaged, or worries about pets being noisy for neighbours. There’s also the issue that, where flats are concerned, pets such as dogs or cats are often impractical.

But many people do own pets and, according to research conducted by The Dogs Trust, 54% of pet owners are unable to find suitable rented accommodation due to landlords being wary of renting to them.

In the worst case scenario for landlords, tenants may ignore your wishes and smuggle pets in anyway. Not all pets are troublesome though and, if you’re finding it slow to let a property, then is it worth considering the potential benefits of a pet owner renting your property?

Benefits for landlords of letting property to pet owners

Although they may not seem obvious initially, there are some benefits to be had for landlords who allow tenants to have pets.

From a business and financial point of view, good properties that allow pets are often in demand and, as tenants have less of a choice available to them, they may be more likely to pay a higher rent for the right property.

It’s not just the inside of the property that matters to pet owners, but also the outside too. If there’s a garden, or the property is away from busy main roads, then it may be particularly suited for dog or cat owners.

Plus, as properties that allow pets are thin on the ground, existing tenants may be more likely to renew their tenancy, rather than having to worry about finding somewhere else suitable for their needs and their animals.

Before you take the plunge and decide pets are fine for your rental properties, don’t forget to double-check that it will be okay. For example, if you have a leasehold property, then you’ll need to ensure the lease does allow pets.

Not only does this help give the tenants an idea as to what is included in their rental, and what isn’t, but it’s also useful to have at the end of a tenancy, so you can identify any missing items, items that have changed, any damage caused to items or any extra items left behind that don’t belong there.

Creating Your Inventory

It may seem a bit tedious having to create an inventory, but it’s a worthwhile task, especially if any disputes occur further down the line.

Go through the property room by room and make a note of everything that is included in the rental for your tenants – curtains, kitchen equipment, furniture etc.

Make a detailed list of all the items, including:

* Details of the manufacturer, model and serial numbers.
* A good description of the item.
* Details of any bumps, scraps or defects the item currently has.

Many landlords are now choosing to photograph the inventory items too, as photos can be used at a later date if any issues arise over what was included or what condition it was in.

If you are going to photograph items, it’s a good idea to date printed photos. If you have any items of particular value, or simply want to be extra careful, then you could even sign and date them and get them counter-signed by the tenant at the start of the tenancy.

In addition to photo, you could also video the property, highlighting which rooms certain items are in.

A copy of the completed inventory should be given to your tenant, as well as the original being kept by you or your letting agent. Hopefully problems won’t occur, but if there are any minor – or major – quibbles, then the inventory can be highly valuable to have.