Pet Screening: What To Expect As a Renter
Applying for a rental place comes with all kinds of considerations. If you have a pet, one of those can certainly be a pet screening that you may undergo. While other parts of the screening process for rentals may seem fairly straightforward, a pet screening may come with a lot of questions. Here we will try to provide some answers.
As part of our Atlanta property services, we are accustomed to screenings of different kinds as part of the normal process of rental property. While they may sometimes feel like a hassle, ultimately they are useful for both renters and landlords 
to make sure the rental is the right fit for them. A pet screening can ensure that the tenant’s pet is just right for the space they intend to live. Let’s go over some of the basic of the process to answer those inevitable questions you may have.
Table of Contents
- What Is Pet Screening When Renting?
- The Pet Screening Process
- Common Requirements
- For Landlords: BMG Can Handle It All
What Is Pet Screening When Renting?
Pet screening is basically a background check for a pet. It assesses the suitability of a pet for a rental property, while also checking for any red flags in their behavior such as a history of aggression or excessive barking. Just as landlords want to know about a tenant’s rental history before deciding whether they’re a good fit for the rental, they want to make sure a tenant’s pet is compatible with the rental as well.
The tenant should inform the landlord or property manager early. If they are entering into the application process for the rental, they will most likely receive a pet screening application with the other application forms. Additionally, tenants with assistance animals can submit a reasonable accommodation request to make sure that they are in compliance with HUD’s Fair Housing Act guidelines.
The Pet Screening Process
Once a potential tenant has informed the landlord or property manager that they intend to bring a pet onto the rental property, the landlord should explain the rules surrounding animals. They should highlight any applicable lease terms, request reasonable accommodations such as acceptable noise levels, and they can share pet-specific documentation, such as a pet addendum.
Landlords should also inform tenants of any associated fees. Whether a pet deposit, a non-refundable one-time fee, or pet rent is required, letting the potential tenant know about any additional costs before bringing their animal onto the property can help them determine whether to carry on with the next steps in the screening process.
Service animals and emotional support animals are exempt from these pet fees, as they are not considered traditional pets under housing regulations.
Once all this information is provided, the landlord or property manager will provide the pet screening application to fill out. The application might come in paper form, or a landlord might ask a tenant to complete an application through an online pet screening service. Either way, both parties should have physical proof of the application they can refer to at any time.
Common Requirements for Pet Screening
Landlords look for fundamental qualities during pet screenings, such as whether the pet has sufficient house training and whether noise levels may become a potential problem. Allowing pets in a rental can be a risk in many landlords’ eyes, so there are a number of red flags that they will quickly look for in a pet.
One of the main concerns is that they want to make sure that your pet won’t be aggressive or harmful to others on the property. Behavior that comes off as aggressive in pets includes bared teeth and/or growling and hair that is raised on the back.
Other red flags that could make your landlord hesitant include excessive barking — they won’t want to deal with noise complaints from other tenants. They may be especially aware of this if the rental is part of an apartment complex or otherwise part of a building with shared walls.
Another concern might be pets that cause damage to the property. Dogs that dig or chew on things or cats that scratch a lot are concerns for properties that don’t want to deal with damage to floors, walls, doors, or existing furniture or appliances.
For Landlords: BMG Can Handle It All
Accepting pets is a great way to expand the prospective renter pool when marketing a property. It is understandable that rentals create pet policies as an essential part of a landlord’s job. However, this is just one facet of establishing clear and concise boundaries with tenants, with the ultimate goal of protecting the property as an investment.
One way to protect and maximize your investment potential is to seek the advice of a qualified property managers in Atlanta. The experts at Bay Property Management Group understand the local market and all applicable laws that pertain to pets in your rental home. Let our team guide you through how much, and when to charge added fees while handling all daily operations, so you do not have to. So give us a call today to find out how full-service property management can make rental ownership the profitable and enjoyable experience it should be.
