Pets make properties better: Six in 10 single-family property managers and leasing professionals and nearly half of multifamily managers and leasing professionals report that having a pet-friendly property has increased resident satisfaction, said “The State of Pets in Rental Housing” report from PetScreening, a provider of pet policy management software.
The survey, based upon the feedback of 1,715 property managers and leasing professionals primarily within the single-family and multifamily spaces, said that 60.7% of single-family respondents and 46.5% of multifamily respondents reported happier residents when homes are pet-friendly.
The top challenge cited among all respondents, which consisted of PetScreening clients and non-clients, was unauthorized pets brought into a home. It was followed by property damage, pet waste and navigating assistance animal requests.
“After the massive spike in pet ownership during the pandemic prompted the rental-housing industry to rethink its pet processes, it’s time to take a fresh look at how these processes and policies are affecting the industry a few years later,” said John Bradford, founder and CEO of PetScreening. “The survey findings certainly underscore the value of optimizing pet strategies to improve operational efficiencies and cater to the modern renter. Those prepared to conquer any challenges they might encounter will fare even better.”
The report also discovered that pit bulls were the most commonly restricted breed, with 94% of respondents citing the breed and its various subtypes, followed by several additional large breeds, including Rottweilers and Dobermans. That said, the survey didn’t indicate a direct correlation between those restricted breeds and increases in damages or onsite incidents.
The most cited pet amenities offered by respondents included pet waste stations (59%), outdoor amenities (41%) and an onsite dog park (35%). Properties with these amenities and other pet-related offerings often stand out among competitors and offer the practical benefit of reducing wear and tear within homes and common areas. Additionally, respondents indicated that an average of 28% of their homes have experienced pet-related damage.
