Renting to Responsible Pet Owners:
A Checklist for Landlords

Responsible pet owners often make great tenants. They know how difficult it is to find good pet-friendly housing, so they tend to be very conscientious about keeping the unit clean, managing their pets, and following the rules. Here are a few questions to help you assess a pet owner:

General Questions:

• What types of pets do you have, and how many?
• How long have you had your pet(s)?
• Is your pet spayed or neutered?
• Is your dog housetrained / Is your cat littertrained?
• How will you keep your pet free of fleas and ticks?
• Is your pet licensed (if required by law)?
• Does your pet wear visible identification at all times?
• Does your pet have any medical or behavioral problems? If so, how do you manage them?
• Can you provide a reference letter from your current landlord?
• Can you provide a reference letter from your veterinarian?
• Have there ever been any complaints about your pet?
• Has your pet ever damaged a rental unit? If so, what type, and did you fix or pay for the damage?
• How will your pet be cared for while you are away on holidays?

Questions for Dog Owners:

• Has your dog had any formal obedience training?
• Has your dog ever bitten anyone?
• Does your dog have separation anxiety, and if so, how do you manage it?
• How would you describe your dog's tendency to bark? (rarely or never barks, barks once in a while, vocal) Does your dog bark while you away from home? Will he stop barking on command?
• How many hours will your dog spend alone each day, on average?
• Will you keep your dog leashed in common areas such as hallways or property grounds?
• How do you dispose of your dog's waste when walking him?

Questions for Cat Owners:

• If required by law, is your cat licensed?
• Is your cat an indoor cat? If not, how will you ensure he does not disturb other residents?

Note: in general, "exotic" animals are not suitable as pets.

Drafting a Pet Application Form Just so you know a little more about the pets that will be living in your rental unit, you may want to draft up a simple application form specifically about the pet(s). Ask for information such as: Owner's Name/Rental Unit Pet's Name Type of pet/breed Photo or brief physical description Age, sex, and neutered/spayed References (vet, previous landlord, pet-sitter, dog trainer, etc) Name/number of veterinarian Emergency contacts Provide a copy of your pet policies. You and your tenant should sign these documents.