What to Consider When Allowing Pets in Your Rental

Dustin Edwards • February 21, 2022

Pets Can Be A Great Addition To Your Long Beach Rental

If you are willing to allow pets in your Long Beach rental property, this can unlock a new market of tenants you may not have previously taken into account. As tenants looking for a rental that allows pets are becoming common. Pets can encourage renters to occupy your property longer as it can be difficult to find pet friendly rentals. With this in mind there are some things you may consider before making the decision and below we’ll discuss common questions you may have about allowing pets in your rental.


Impact on your Insurance

Though we are not insurance agents it is likely that your insurance could be impacted by the types of animals you are willing to reside within your property. For example many insurance companies have differing policies when it comes to the size and breed of dogs. Depending on these factors there may be an impact on your insurance policy.


Some animals such as goldfish as well as service dogs shouldn't have an effect on your insurance. Dog breeds such as chihuahuas and pugs have a low impact on insurance because of their size, whereas chow chow, American pit bull terrier and akita are usually not covered by insurances due to being considered higher- risk. If the animal is an outdoor pet it will likely have an adverse effect on insurance unless properly fenced. Finally the history of the animal can be cause for concern especially if it has lashed out and bitten someone in the past.


Increased Wear and Damage to Property

Pets can do serious damage to your rental property, but keeping long term tenants may be worth the investment. Some of the more common wear to your rental would be carpets, window screen, wall and door scratches, mainly exit doors and bedroom doors. With carpets taking the worst damage because some pets scratch, chew and even soil it. A recommendation to avoid this is replacing carpet with tile or hardwood flooring as these are more durable when dealing with pets compared to a carpet. Though these costs can be mitigated by implementing a pet security deposit. 


Pet Deposit or Monthly Pet Fee

As mentioned above, allowing pets is a great way to keep your tenants long term. It is true that pets are part of the family but it goes without saying that pets also can cause property damage. Be sure to communicate to your applicant that if they want to bring a pet with them, then there is an added fee to the security deposit. Let them know that the extra security deposit is to cover any potential damage their pet might cause to the property, as well as any cleaning that would need to take place due to the pet’s odors.


In some cases, in lieu of a pet deposit there is a monthly pet fee. This fee can range from $25-$100 a month and can vary in price based on the type of animal (i.e. usually cats are cheaper than dogs) and number of pets. If you are considering a monthly fee, connect with your potential property management company to determine if a one-time pet deposit or a monthly pet fee is best for your property.


Screening the Pet

We screen all of our property applicants and pets are no different. With the increase of tenants with pets, our objective is to determine which pets are safe for both the tenant and the property. You can read more about how we screen applicants' pets in our previous post Managing the Property and the Pet where the pet gets a FIDO score after the applicant answers a series of questions relating to the pet. By giving the applicant’s pet its own ranking we can increase the likelihood of having your rental occupied by responsible pet owners, and well behaved pets.


Allowing pets in your Beach Rental Property can be challenging to new landlords, but also rewarding as having happy, long term tenants can provide consistent income with fewer unit turnover expenses. Call us today at (562) 888-0247 or fill out our property evaluation form to find out more about how we can help with your property.

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With the real estate market as competitive as it is, many landlords are looking into building an Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) or Jr. ADU to improve their bottom line with additional monthly income. While this is a great way to earn more, you need to be sure you’re investing in the right upgrade to your property. Below are some of the key differences between ADUs and Jr. ADUs; this way, you can make the right decision for your property. Differences between Junior ADUs and ADUs On the surface, the primary difference between an ADU and a Jr. ADU is the square footage. However, there are many considerations for each type of ADU , significant differences include costs and build limitations. ADUs are generally seen as a larger and more versatile build when compared to a Jr. ADU. They can be built detached from the main home, converting an existing structure, most commonly the garage. In Long Beach, an ADU can be up to 800 square feet or 50% of the gross floor area of the primary dwelling, whichever is smaller. For reference, an 800 sqft living space can be arranged as a 2-bedroom 1-bath home, though with creative use of the space, many investors have been able to fit 2 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms comfortably. If listing the ADU for rent is the goal, this can produce a higher yield, though at the cost of a higher initial investment. Jr. ADU, on the other hand, can only be a maximum of 500 sqft and must be built attached to the existing single-family home. While you can build an entire new addition to accommodate the Jr. ADU, it's not uncommon for homeowners whose homes are bigger than they need to convert a bedroom into a Jr. ADU in order to have additional income . A Jr. ADU does still require an efficient kitchen. Bathrooms can be shared with the main house, though this can deter some prospective tenants. Additionally, the utilities are oftentimes shared with the main house, which can simplify installation, though it can complicate utility costs with your tenant. When an ADU is Right Being able to build a full ADU provides an entirely separate and private living space, which is more desirable to prospecting tenants. This is the preferred choice for most investors, especially those who have unused space in their property. By being built apart from the main house, an ADU may cause less disturbance to those living in the main house, whether that be yourself or another tenant. In Long Beach, CA. ADUs can’t be listed as short-term rentals on apps like Airbnb; that being said, an ADU can command more in rent because of the aforementioned features. If you’re looking for a long-term investment, ADUs increase your property’s value while generating a consistent cash flow. Finally, if you ever plan on selling your rental property, the additional ADU can improve the appeal of your property to future buyers. When a Jr. ADU is Right While a Jr. ADU doesn’t have the same potential as a full-sized ADU, Jr. ADUs are far more budget-friendly. These are a great option for investors who have limited funds. Since Jr. ADUs generally require less work to be done in less time, allowing you to begin making a return sooner. Finally, if your property doesn’t qualify for a full-sized ADU permit due to the size of the property lot, a Jr. ADU can be built primarily through interior work, which may only require reconfiguring existing interior space. Whether you choose a full-sized ADU or a Jr. ADU, the decision depends on more than just the size of the structure, you’ll have to manage filling the vacancy and managing the new tenant. If you need help choosing which ADU is right for you or you need help managing your Beach City rental property, we invite you to call us today at (562) 888-0247 or complete our Owner Application online .
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