Should I Allow Pets in My San Francisco Rentals?

If you are planning to rent a property in San Francisco, there are many important considerations when it comes to choosing tenants. One of the most important is whether or not you will allow your tenants to have pets on the property. There are both pros and cons to this decision, which we will highlight in this blog post.

While rental vacancy rates in San Francisco are almost twice as low as they were 15 years ago (3.55% vs. 6.97%), the current percentage is notably higher than the 2.34% vacancy rate in 2015. If you are a landlord in today's market, the question of whether or not to allow pets is an important one.

Here, Kenny Realty, the No. 1 San Francisco Bay property management company, will look at both sides of the argument, starting with the pros.

What Are the Pros of Allowing Pets?

Let's start with an important fact: people in San Francisco love pets, especially dogs. According to 2018 U.S. Census figures, there were around 118,000 children living in San Franciso, while the city's dog population has been ranked at anywhere between 120,000 to 500,000.

Allowing pets in your rental property means you can expect a larger pool of applicants. Given that many properties are still not pet-friendly, you should be able to ask for a higher rent by allowing pets. Another consideration is that people living and seeking rent in San Francisco have support animals.

If you are keen to find tenants for a long tenure, pet owners are a good option. In addition, responsible pet owners are likely to be responsible tenants and will treat your property with respect.

What Are the Cons of Allowing Pets?

While the last paragraph of the above section lavishes praise on pet owners, the reality is that not every pet owner is responsible. Pets, like dogs and cats, can cause damage to property, both indoors and outdoors. If you are considering allowing pets, it's a good idea to first check the type of pet and how responsible the owners seem.

Noise is another factor. Dogs' barking and birds' singing can be disruptive to neighbors. Odor is another issue that can become a serious problem if pet owners aren't responsible. Depending on the type of pet, there is also the possibility that pets will cause injury to other tenants or neighbors.

San Francisco Bay Property Management Advice

Ultimately, the decision of whether or not to allow pets in a rental property is one you must make yourself.

Many landlords don't wish to burden themselves with potential nuisances from pets, while others see it as an opportunity to find long-term tenants at a higher rent. If you are open to allowing pets, it's important to screen such tenants and their pets properly. 

For the best San Francisco Bay property management company, our team at Kenny Realty has you covered. We have more than 50 years of experience in San Fransisco rental properties. Contact us today to learn more about our property management services and more.