Should a Landlord allow pets?
As a Landlord, I have always been instructed to not allow pets. I have come across a situation in the past year that confirms my firm belief in not allowing pets in your unit. Two years ago, I hired a management company to fill a vacant unit of mine. I signed a contract with them and one of my rules for them is that they stick to my "no pet" policy. This unit had the best amenities compared to my other units. It was a condo that I spent quite a few dollars fixing up. The management company signed a lease with a tenant. When the new tenant moved in she brought a pet with her. When I was in the area, I noticed the barking pet. Since the management company is the "landlord", I cannot have any contact with their "tenant". So, I notified the management company about the dog and I was reassured they would put a stop to this. I assumed the case was closed. From what I can tell, the company never sent a letter to the tenant or talked to the tenant about this issue because I never received cc's of the letter, or any explanation of what their next step is.
When I finally took back the property (six months later) from the management company, I found out that the dog was still in the unit. Obviously they did not enforce my "no pets" policy. Now I have to replace some of the carpet because of dog stains.
In addition to dog stain damage, the tenant locked the dog in two of the bedrooms and the dog tried to dig itself out of the room through the carpet.
I guess the lesson in all of this is to not only be very strict on your pet policy but make sure your management company follows up as well.
I am not an attorney, but it sounds like you might have a case against that management company; But at the same time I'm confused, if they were hired by you as a management company, they are representing you, working for you and are suppose to follow your rules under your contract with them.
"When I finally took back the property...from the management company..." How did you ever lose control of your property? How did you "take the property back"? I don't understand how you didn't know the details of the rental agreement of the condo the next day and take care of the pet problem then. If these people were working for you then why did they not report to you on a daily basis?
I could go on and on with these type of questions? It just seems very strange that it would take 6 months.
WOW... what a difference in multi and sfh management we have been operating sfh's for 23yrs we always have advocated PETS Welcome we average 7.45 years occupancy across the board on more than 100 single family homes (90% or better ) vacancy is the biggest problem a landlord a=or sfh owner can have and the more you do to tie up your tenant to u to amke them loyal and to make them need u the better the result u will have to proitect we chg the pet rent just like people and hav overall had no regrets with welcome sign for pets kids etc Mike r Landlord and the Mortgabge man
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