A friend of mine says, “It’s either pets or the poor house, so take your pick.” Compare a vacancy to carpet replacement costs and the case becomes moot. I had much prefer to have a long-term quality tenant with a pet, than a series of short-termers beating up the walls and flooring with each move in & out. I always get vet paperwork on the pet, integrate the pet into the lease, continue to be selective about the types of pets I’ll allow resident in my units, and depending upon the state (restrictions vary from state to state) I’ll include a monthly pet add-on fee or non-refundable maintenance deposit specifically for the pet.
