“A dog is a man’s best friend” has long been a saying to show the companionship we find with our animals. This statement has never been more appropriate for the average household as pet ownership numbers have steadily grown. Around 65% of households have a pet, and a recent survey by Apartments.com states that nearly 72% of renters have pets.
As an El Segundo landlord, it is vital that you are aware of the modern trends that may affect your business. The Humane Society of America recently published an article focused on investment homeowners and landlords that drew the benefits of renting to pet owners, noting that landlords have a larger pool of applicants to choose from and that these residents tend to stay longer in a unit, lessening costs of advertising and turnover.
When you work with Real Property Management California Coast, we help make sure that your property is paired with the right residents, and their pets, if you decide to permit this on your property. Learn more about how to pet-proof your El Segundo rental property today.
Why You Should Pet-Proof Your Property
One of the key reasons why you should pet-proof your property is to attract more excellent and qualified residents that keep your rental property business thriving. By anticipating renting to a pet owner, you can make changes to your lease agreement and physical property in preparation of a pet residing in your rental property.
Many landlords worry they will get a “bad pet” and regret letting them on the property. This can typically be avoided, however, with the proper pet screening procedure, which guarantees that the pet has been screened and approved just like a normal resident.
Pet proofing your property is one of the best ways to control potential damage to your property. While the security deposit that your resident gives will cover any damage caused, no one wants to redo the floors or give the walls a new layer of paint before it is necessary. By making pet-smart decisions with your rental property, you can circumvent this and do business with homeowners with pets.
How to Pet-Proof Your Property
Regardless of whether your property was already prepared for residents, or if you are in the remodeling stage, there are plenty of easy ways to pet-proof your property. Save money by using these cost-effective ways to rent to pet owners with fewer potential headaches.
Flooring seems to be the biggest worry for landlords when renting to pets, afraid that their lovely hardwood floor will be destroyed. This can be protected by using polyurethane, which seals wooden floors and shields against these aspects, or when remodeling, you should consider installing laminate flooring that looks like wood flooring but holds up better to traffic.
Consider the exterior of your home as well. Pet doors or granting the authority to have them installed if you have a fenced yard is something to consider. Patios and balcony railings can be made safer with gates, plexiglass, and so on. Also, the paint you utilize in the home can go a long way to ensuring you protect your investment. Although flat paint may be less expensive to apply, semi-gloss or velvet paint allows for easier wipe-down and clean up when friends have accidents, furry or otherwise.
Weighty, thick blinds are also perfect to both keep your rental property cool in the summer and to trap heat in the winter. Additionally, thick blinds help keep an animal from pulling down blinds or playing with flimsy cords or fabric. Baby gates may also be used, but this is something you will want to task your resident with providing and protecting.
Make use of these pet proofing tips for your El Segundo rental property and start enjoying the benefits of allowing pets on your property. Contact us online or call us at 310-535-2150 today if you would like more information about Real Property Management California Coast and the services we offer.
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