A 2015-2016 survey conducted by the American Pet Products Association shows that about 65% of American households, or about 79.7 million homes, have pets. At the same time, a 2014 survey among pet owners reveals that around two-thirds were having a hard time finding a pet-friendly apartment.
In more recent years, the trend appears to be reversing as more and more apartment owners recognize the growing demand for pet-friendly housing. But even with increasing options, pet owners still face several hurdles, including:
- Paying a premium to keep their pets, such as a pet deposit, fee, and rent
- Restrictions on the type, size, and age of pets
- Limited pet care services and businesses in an area
How pet-friendly is Los Angeles?
In a 2013-2014 survey conducted by HotPads, a Zillow, Inc.-owned rental marketplace, Los Angeles was listed 6th among the top ten metro areas ranked by number of pet friendly rental listings.” Santa Monica was seen as the most pet-friendly neighborhood in the city, with the highest number of pet-friendly listings.
A 2016 survey among 300 landlords who were members of the Apartment Association of Greater Los Angeles showed that around 42% did not allow pets in their properties. However, the majority welcomed at least one pet per tenant.
On the other hand, a survey conducted by financial online resource, WalletHub, ranked Los Angeles 93rd in terms of pet-friendliness, out of the 100 largest cities in the United States. This survey put premium weight on the availability of pet-friendly amenities in a city, such as pet care services, pet businesses and pet-welcoming restaurants.
Benefits of making your property pet-friendly
Allowing pets into your property can be beneficial in many ways.
- It can increase your potential renters, given the high population of pet owners who are also highly committed to their animals. A survey conducted by Apartment.com in 2014 showed that more than 70% of renters have pets, and around 90% of them said that a property’s pet policies play a major role in their apartment selection.
Los Angeles has the highest number of renters among all cities, so it follows that disallowing pets can also mean turning away a large number of potential tenants.
- Having more pet-friendly apartments will help prevent sending many animals to shelters, where they may end up being euthanized.
- Some tenants may sneak in their pets anyway and/or register them as service animals. By having a clear-cut pet welcoming policy, you increase your chances of gaining happy, longer-term tenants with little pet-related issues.
Tips on making your apartment pet-friendly
Landlords’ objections to admitting pets include possible damage to their property and a negative impact on other tenants. Various agencies, however, have been working with landlords on establishing pet-friendly policies that will address these concerns and will result in satisfying tenant-landlord relationships.
Here are some possible solutions to making your property pet-friendly:
- Consider the fee structure. Should you charge a separate pet deposit or simply lump this into a general “security deposit?” A pet deposit could be more limiting as it will only cover damages caused by a pet. A security deposit, on the other hand, gives you more flexibility as it may be applied to various types of damage, including pet-related ones. Note that a non-refundable “pet fee” or any kind of non-refundable deposit is not allowed in California.
In addition to a deposit, a regular and reasonable “pet rent” is considered a good option, and is something many tenants are willing to pay along with insurance which indemnifies the property owner.
- Create fair pet rules that are clear to the tenant from the start, including how to handle pet-related complaints. Establish the owners’ accountability in the management of their pets.
- Understand pet behaviors and avoid arbitrary discrimination based on size, age, breed, etc.
Furthermore, consider adding pet-friendly amenities and services to attract pet owners. Some high-end apartments in downtown Los Angeles already offer features such as dog grooming stations and “pet parks,” and partner with local pet care businesses to provide services to their tenants.
