Thursday, 02 September 2021 16:54

Pros and Cons of Pet Friendly Properties

Pros and Cons of Pet Friendly Properties

There are many things for which Asheville is known. It is the highest city of its size on the East Coast. With over sixty craft breweries in the area, it has earned the moniker Beer City, USA multiple times. 

The River Arts District (RAD) has numerous art galleries that attract visitors from all over the world. Just down the road from the RAD, the Biltmore House is the largest private residence in the United States, with tours drawing millions of tourists each year. 

Asheville is also known for  its pet-friendliness. In fact, with a welcome center for dogs downtown (next to the Pinball Museum), Asheville is Dog City, USA. For the Washington Post, Melanie D.G. Kaplan writes:

“Nestled in the Appalachian Mountains, near the southern end of the Blue Ridge Parkway, Asheville is nirvana for dogs and humans who love the outdoors.”

As appealing as Asheville’s love for furry family members is for tourists, it’s one of the factors that draws new residents to the area. People want the best life possible for their dogs, and western North Carolina presents a place that inspires confidence in pet owners that their canines will have everything they need to have fun every day. 

If you are a property owner, you have the advantage of knowing there is a steady supply of new residents moving to our area. However, you also know that there is a good chance those potential renters will have pets. 

 

The question you have to answer is whether or not you want to supply pet-friendly housing. 

In this article, we will address some of the pros and cons of pet-friendly rental property in western North Carolina. 

How “Dog City, USA” Affects Property Owners

If you want to rent property to residents of the Asheville area, you must reckon with the fact that pets are part of the culture here. We have already mentioned that there is a welcome center for canines here in the city. 

There are many other incredible dog accommodations for furry friends throughout western North Carolina. Some restaurants have menus for dogs; there are dog-specific hotels and campgrounds, and so much more. 

It is not just dogs, however, that bring pet owners joy. Cats, rabbits, reptiles, and many other animals live with western North Carolina residents. Here are a few of the advantages and disadvantages of listing your property as pet-friendly. 

The Cons of Listing Your Rental Property as Pet-Friendly

Even if you love cats, dogs, and other pets, you may not love the idea of renting to people with animals. There are good reasons to avoid listing your property as pet-friendly:

  1. The possibility of excessive damage: There is no way around it. If you allow animals in your rental property, your house may be more susceptible to damage.
  2. Noisy pets may bother neighbors and other tenants: If your tenants have barking dogs or yowling cats, it could bother the neighbors or your other tenants. For multi-family rentals or communities where you may own more than one property, the noise could drive away tenants.
  3. The potential to be held liable for the actions of pets on your property: While it is rare, it is not unheard of for property owners to be held liable for issues with renters’ pets. 
  4. The chance that one pet could become many: Your tenant’s dog or cat could give birth to puppies or kittens, raising the risk of damage exponentially. 

The Pros of Listing Your Property as Pet-Friendly

While there are reasons to avoid allowing pets in your rental property, there are many benefits to listing your house as pet-friendly:

  1. You will have access to more renters: In such a pet-friendly area, not allowing pets will drastically limit your access to tenants. While being pet-friendly will not necessarily rule out people who don’t own pets, it will cause you to miss out on pet owners. 
  2. You will be able to charge higher rental rates: Pet owners are accustomed to paying higher security deposits and lease rates. With the risk of damage, there is precedence for charging more. 
  3. You will be less likely to have off-the-books pets in your rentals: Some people might, unfortunately, try to sneak their pets into your property without your knowledge. By listing your home as pet-friendly, you will be able to know who owns pets and, of course, set your rates accordingly. 
  4. You will gain a favorable reputation in Dog City, USA: It is a good idea to be perceived as a pet-friendly property owner in Dog City, USA. 

If you do list your rental property as pet-friendly, it is important to make sure you have a solid pet policy. We can help you make sure you have all the protections possible in place should you choose to allow renters to bring their furry family with them. 

How Asheville Phoenix Properties Can Help

One of the best ways to ensure your property is protected, whether or not you list it as pet-friendly, is by hiring a quality property management company. We have decades of experience managing pet-friendly and non-pet-friendly properties throughout western North Carolina. 

Contact the team here at Asheville Phoenix Properties for more information about how we can help manage your property. We are happy to answer your questions about whether or not you should list your house as pet-friendly. 

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