I'm thinking about a pet deposit and the fact that the cat has to be an indoor cat....Any other ideas? --66.30.xx.xxx

and "the fact of people SNEAKING in a cat,..." --66.30.xx.xxx

I just charge as much as i can and they can have a petas long as it is not a dangeroud breed dog,that way i dont hear about it being an ESA.I dont care if they let the cat out,why would you care about that?I dont charge a deposit,also helps to not have to hear about it being an ESA. If you do an in home inspection you will know how your place will look in a month by how there current place looks --74.77.xx.xx

Matt you are correct many folks now have furry creatures. in NY you cannot charge a pet deposit. I now accept pets on a case by case basis (for a $50 increase in rent) that includes a visit to the pets current home. I don't refer to it as pet rent incase the animal goes away and the tenant wants the monthly amount adjusted. My prescreening form asks if they have pets or animals. If that box is checked and I don't see another obvious DQ, I reply w/ "this is a no pet rental, best of luck in your apt search". If they reply it's an ESA then I know to screen well. One thing that will trip these folks up is if you challenge them (in person when showing) and they become argumentative. That's a DQ for not being cooperative (if that is part of your criteria). You used to be able to say the cat should be declawed, but that is becoming 'inhumane'. Not sure if spayed/ neutered is headed in that direction but I require that for pets. If there is more than one cat make sure each has it's own litter box. Lots of info here on ESAs so do a thorough search on how to get through it. --24.194.xxx.xx

I don't get much push back on ESA or Service animals as a result. If I get someone claiming one on my pre-screen questions, I just find another way to disqualify. --50.82.xxx.xxx

I have always taken cats and have 20 year tenants. indoor only no fleas --71.188.xx.xxx

Stick to your NO Animal / No Pet Policy. --24.183.xxx.xxx

/petkeen.com/how-many-birds-do-cats-kill-statistics/ --66.30.xx.xxx

I ask the applicant several cat questions that only a cat lover would know. If they pass then I'll rent to them, otherwise not! --47.156.xx.xx

It's an interesting market. The last house I just rented, ad was no pets, and I really don't want any. After a month of no qualify applications, I changed to ad to include pets with very high pet rent and fees and requirements. Finally the phone rang with people with no pets but qualify. Go figure! Rented to good people, moving in today, with no pets --172.56.xx.xx

And that's where I stand on the subject. --75.11.xx.xx

This animal application must be accompanied by a clear, full-body, close-up photo of each animal." --68.229.xxx.xxx

My last cat did $5800 damage including lost rent while un-cating the property. Cats are worse than dogs. --99.23.xxx.x

Will tenant's insurance cover any damage by cats? --66.30.xx.xxx

No coverage when a tenants animal causes property damage only when an injury is caused to a person if they have that type of coverage. --99.23.xxx.x

--24.101.xxx.xxx

we have had cats in our home for 35 years. I have never had $5k cat damage. my target mkt is renters with pets. I think I did have to replace $5 blinds two times. my rents are higher bc none of the complexes here allow pets. --97.94.xxx.xxx

I found people sneak in the cat anyway. I allow one cat; must stay inside and I charge a non-refundable deposit. They also have to complete a pet addendum to the lease. I have found the addendum makes them think twice about how bad they want a cat. --74.130.xxx.xxx

We have a tenant who came from a no pets complex. I asked how they had a cat at it. They said they got paperwork for an ESA. But when they applied for us they willingly paid the extra rent and “pet registration fee”. They were happy to be above board with it. Later they got a second cat. Double the cat rent and registration fee. --76.179.xxx.xx

So, since I can't charge pet fees, deposits, or rents in a so-called No Pet community, I will charge a large security deposit (2x the rent). --50.30.xx.xxx

Next tenant had aquarium. Son got mad and shot it out with a BB gun water went everywhere. NO MORE ANIMALS! FOREVER. And it hasn’t been a problem renting any of my properties for over 20 years. --68.97.xxx.xx

Why is everyone acting like ESA's are allowed as a service animal? This is caused by a very poorly trained LL in the laws that govern your rental. Step up! No wonder so many are pulling the wool over your eyes. If you understood the laws you may make it easier on the rest of us. --73.117.xxx.xx

From then on, I do not allow MALE CAT who is not neutered. I do require vets' certificate to verifie. --108.80.xxx.xxx

Rented to a young couple who both worked. They had 4 cats that ruined the rugs and even the cement landing near the front door. Total damage $3,300. They never paid and moved on. No pet policy should be enforced unless you're willing to pay for cleaning and floor replacement. --71.162.xxx.xxx

Absolutely no I’ve had more problems with cats than with dogs. --173.171.xxx.xxx

--68.97.xxx.xx

Patti, you do know that you simply can't say "No animals Period" as your reason for denial if there is a service animal involved. You can be sued and the judgment could be VERY costly. Even with an emotional support animal that can be problematic. --70.161.xxx.xxx

Coming to SA Service dogs it is required they properly trained to do the job with proper shots. I am not sure if we can charge any fee or extra rent but ESA case I do charge Pet fees and in some cases rental increase. Check the local laws. --107.195.xx.xxx

--68.97.xxx.xx

This is an interesting convo. In Georgia, we are forced not to discriminate against applicants with service animals and emotional support animals, and we are forbidden to charge pet deposits for these or increased rent amounts/security deposits. From what I'm reading online this morning, I also may not ask for documentation for a service animal (but I already figured out that such documentation probably is easily purchased online without any training to the animal). This is frustrating for the LL. And also potentially very expensive. I recently filled a house vacancy with two outside dogs (non-aggressive breeds) where the tenant provided an electric collar restriction for them. I charged a less deposit than I do for inside pets. I had at least two other applicants for this same vacant property who had ESAs, and I've run into the ESA issue before. I go against my better knowing, ask no questions and accept the ESA if that applicant is chosen. Many times, the applicant doesn't mention the ESA until they are chosen for the property. I abide by the law, of course, even though this law is clearly unfair to LLs / rental property owners. I have significantly increased rent on vacancies, however, as the rental market here is booming. I have also increased the Security Deposit significantly. The key, for me, is to find good, long-term tenants ... because my biggest expense is turnover of tenants. I have always accepted pets (as long as the breed of dog doesn't violate my insurance requirements) with a non-refundable pet deposit. I realize how attached people are to their pets, and I also believe that it can be beneficial/healthy for people to have pets. I want my tenants to be happy (and stay many years). I do limit pets to TWO total, and I charge $450 non-refundable for the first pet and $350 non-refundable for the second one. Animals are generally not the ones doing damage to the property; it's tenants acting like animals!(Laughing ... but serious!) --99.110.xxx.xx

If they can’t furnish documentation for their esa or service animals and insurance for that animal. 99.98% cannot furnish docs for the animals. When callers and it isn’t a sea or service animal we require vaccination records from them to prove that they are being properly cared for. They can’t come up with them. So therefore we tell that they do not apply and they have to come up with those docs before they apply so they are aren’t out app fees too. We do not discriminate against anyone. If they meet the qualifications we proceed with the application. --68.97.xxx.xx

we have cats at home. never a problem for us. I suppose if they are in a new place they will get nervous & pee. my target market is renters with pets. they have a hard time finding a place to live. I don’t charge pet fees or deposits. my rents are at least $100 more per month than comps with no pets policy. I do not charge higher deposit than I would with someone with no pets. --97.94.xxx.xxx

--160.3.xxx.xx

--184.97.xxx.xxx

The dander and the hair from dogs and cats will be there forever. Especially when you have carpet in the property. Also if you don’t clean the air ducts the dander and hair will just blow out of them. I know. Just had the air ducts clean be renter was find it on her furniture and that costs us $450.00. Another reason not to have animals. --68.97.xxx.xx

--24.241.xxx.xx

Had caller that had a pig for service animal. Ask if she had documentation that it was she said no but I can get some, but probably all fake, we told her that the property was zoned residential not agricultural. She told us that there were no agricultural zones in the city. Yes there is because my personal property where we lived is zoned that way, our little farm in the middle of the city. Next! --68.97.xxx.xx

we had a (true) mini pig. his name was Hoover. he was way cleaner than our dogs & cats. we let him sleep in the bed with us. a snoozer. --107.120.xx.xx

BRAD --73.103.xxx.xxx

Can a Louisiana LL ask for proof of a service or support animal documentation or vaccination records? Anything else that might be pertinent to protect the LL? --12.11.xx.xx