Having a pet at home can be a joy and a significant responsibility.
After all, you’ll have to care for your furry baby as if it were your child. You’ll have to teach it all the domestic habits needed to learn to live with you in the house. Pulling this off takes a lot of patience and understanding, but if you love animals, you’ll do just fine.
However, the biggest problem is if you’re a landlord and your tenants own a pet. Then they are the ones who have to teach it, but you’re the one who has to know how to reduce any damage caused by it in your rental property.
Protect the floors
The floors in a rental property are essential because all potential tenants pay particular attention to them. It’s crucial that they like them.
And if you allow pets on the property, you should know that they can damage your floors if they are not so well trained.
This is why you should ensure your floors are prepared for everything.● Using carpets in this situation is not recommended, as they can easily be damaged and are difficult to clean. If this is still your case, you can require form tenants to have regular professional cleaning done to minimise the chance of stubborn stains.● Wooden floors are popular for their natural beauty but can present a few challenges. Pets can scratch and damage wooden floors over time, leaving unsightly marks and requiring costly repairs. However, they can be protected by a specialised polyurethane seal layer. This type of sealant creates a protective barrier over the wood that can withstand pets’ wear and tear, making the hardwood easier to maintain.● When you have pets on your property, your flooring should be linoleum, ceramic or any other flooring option that is solid, sealed and easy to clean.
Prepare the walls
Your walls can also be damaged if you don’t ensure they are pet friendly. If you’re going to allow pets in your rental apartment or house:● Forget all about wallpapers, cork and other absorbent materials for the walls. They will be destroyed quickly. Even if not, they will absorb all the bad smells from the room, and you’ll have to change them anyway. If you need to repair or partially replace the wallpaper, you can stick to fibreglass because they are more damage-resistant and easier to clean.● Cover your walls with washable oil or acrylic paints. They are easier to clean and not so expensive if you decide to repaint.
Secure the garbage
If the pet is not well trained or the owners leave it alone for a little longer in the property, it may decide that the garbage is a new and exciting place to explore.
Needless to say, this can cause a lot of damage to the surrounding and the garbage can itself.● Consider the idea of purchasing well-sealed garbage containers. They will make it harder for pets to look inside. And also, they are a lot more hygienic and safe.● Decide a special place for the garbage can that will be out of sight for the pet. For example, this could be in the closet or a kitchen cabinet.
Provide protective covers
You can provide your tenants with protective covers to protect your furniture and upholstery from pet damage. For example, you can use slipcovers for couches and chairs or a plastic cover for your mattress.
Protective covers can also make cleaning up after pets easier, as they can be removed and washed.
They can also act as a physical barrier between the pet and the furniture, preventing the pet from scratching or chewing on it. In addition, the covers can help reduce the amount of pet hair embedded in the fabric.
Install ventilation filters
Most pets have thick fur on them, which falls off periodically.
Even if the tenants are the best cleaners in the world, it’s impossible to get rid of all the fur from their apartments and the common areas of the building.
The fur then usually gets caught in the ventilation system, and this way, everyone can breathe in some fur without even knowing it. That’s why it’s a good idea to install high-efficiency filters for better ventilation in the common areas to reduce pet damage in the property.
Clean the air system regularly
Turns out this can be a big problem when there are pets and allergic tenants simultaneously.
That is why you should clean and check the ventilation system regularly and every time with the end of the lease cleaning of the property after tenants with pets. This will help you reduce the damage for allergic and sensitive people in your rental property.
Screen the potential tenants
When screening potential tenants, consider their pets as part of the screening process.
Ask about their furry babies, including breed, size, and age. You can also request references from previous landlords or neighbours who can attest to the pet’s behaviour.
A well-behaved animal is less likely to cause damage to your property, so it’s essential not to miss this point.
Regularly inspect the property
Frequent inspections allow you to identify any damage or potential issues before they become a more significant problem.
Schedule the inspections with your tenants and communicate with them about what to look for during the inspection. Encourage them to point out any damages caused by their pets or any potential pet hazards they may have noticed.
This will help you address the issues immediately and take action to prevent further damage.
In addition, inspections can help you identify any areas of the rental property that are particularly susceptible to pet damage.
For example, if you notice that a dog or a cat frequently scratches at a particular spot on the carpet or chews on a specific piece of furniture, you may consider replacing those items with more durable materials or investing in pet-friendly furniture.
Regular inspections also demonstrate your commitment to maintaining the rental property and ensuring the comfort of everyone.
By communicating with your tenants and actively addressing any issues, you can establish a positive relationship and reduce the likelihood of pet damage in the future.
Provide maintenance and repair services
Pet owners often struggle with regular maintenance and cleaning, especially concerning carpets, flooring, and furniture.
By offering routine maintenance and repair services, you can help them keep the property in good condition, ultimately reducing the likelihood of damage. Regular maintenance may include deep cleaning carpets, polishing hardwood floors, and repairing damaged furniture.
Additionally, offering pet-specific cleaning services, such as urine removal treatments or professional end-of-lease cleaning, can be especially helpful.
Final thoughts
Having pets in rental properties can be challenging for landlords, but there are ways to minimise that damage and keep the property and all its residents safe.
It’s essential to remember that you must communicate your expectations regarding any animals living on your property with their respective owners.
Clear communication can help ensure that tenants understand their responsibilities as pet owners and can help prevent pet damage on the property.
With patience, understanding, and careful planning, it’s possible to balance being a pet-friendly landlord and maintaining the condition of your rental properties.
