Rentec Direct provides the tools to effortlessly implement a pet policy that meets legal and insurance requirements, minimizes property damage, mitigates risks, complies with ESA laws, and allows eligible fees to be charged, empowering all clients to manage their properties with confidence.
As a housing provider, navigating the complexities of pet policies, emotional support animals (ESAs), and service animals can seem tricky. Understanding your rights, obligations, and best practices is crucial, but may be challenging given that they vary by city and state.
One thing is clear: whether you allow pets or have a strict “no pet” policy, a standard operating procedure, and a comprehensive, legally compliant policy are vital to your success in rental housing.
At Rentec Direct, we understand the challenges of managing animal-related issues in your properties. That’s why we’re here to support you. Your software’s features for implementing a pet policy and maintaining your operational procedures for pets and animals will build confidence among team members and also assure residents of fair treatment.
You will find the essential resources and tools to implement a pet policy that meets legal and insurance requirements, minimizes property damage, mitigates risks, and supports your community. Through Rentec Direct’s integrations and resources, you can implement a stress-free pet policy that not only ensures legal compliance but also generates passive income.
You can find easy options to implement and support your rental property pet policy, including:
- An integrated pet screening service to verify a pet’s background
- Marketing features to promote pet-friendly properties
- Online lease and addendum features to execute pet policy paperwork
- Integrated renters insurance to help cover pet-related injuries or damage
- Online payments to automatically collect pet deposits, pet fees, and pet rent
Pet Policy for the Unexpected
A comprehensive animal and pet policy is crucial for rental management, even when you have determined that your properties will be “no pets allowed”.
Imagine this: you’ve done all the right things and clarified “no pets” or “allowed pets” policies for your properties. You’ve set up all the associated fees on your website, online listings, online application, and rental agreements. But you get a call from your maintenance team at a
“No pets” residence only to be met by Fido himself, who the tenant claims is an ESA. Or what if your team calls to tell you about water damage from an undisclosed fish tank?
Even when your written pet policy specifically states “no pets allowed”, you will need to outline how to handle unexpected pets on the property, emotional support animals, and service animals. It’s easiest to pre-establish your pet policy before you need to add an addendum for unexpected situations.
Rentec Direct’s integration with PetScreening.com offers a seamless solution to help you implement a solid pet policy by requiring tenants to have all pets screened. PetScreening is an online service available in all 50 states, familiar with federal and state laws, and will ask the tough questions for you, including verifying service and ESA animals. This integration ensures compliance with legal and insurance requirements, minimizes property damage, and reduces liability risks.
What to Include in a Good Pet Policy
A good pet policy should cover several key areas:
- Clarification of Pet: Does this include ALL animals, fish, birds, etc?
- PetScreening Requirements: Require all pets to go through a simple pet background screening process
- Pet Fees: What monthly fees or additional deposits will you require? And are they legally allowed in your state?
- Pet-Friendly Spaces: Where are pets allowed? Is there a fenced area for off-leash? Can pets be left there unattended?
- Pet Cleanup: Is there a fee if renters don’t clean up after their pet? Does your maintenance take on the task and add a monthly pet fee? Are there clearly marked disposal sites?
- Leash Rules: Are leashes required in common areas
- Barking: How will excessive barking be handled? In some cities, barking can violate city noise ordinances.
- Guests with Pets & Pet Sitting: Address situations where guests bring pets or tenants utilize pet sitters.
- Required Renters Insurance: Renters insurance can include liability coverage for pet-caused injuries. Renters can purchase renters insurance directly through the Tenant Portal.
To foster a strong renter community, be sure to post your pet policy on your syndicated listings. Include the pet policy on your Rentec Direct website. Additionally, incorporate the policy into your rental agreements and security deposit language.
More About PetScreening
Rentec Direct’s integration with PetScreening allows a qualified third party to create a portfolio of all animals in your renter community. PetScreening can verify whether animals meet the legal requirements to be an ESA or Service Animal in all states.
Using the features of Rentec Direct property management software:
- Require all potential tenants completing your online rental application to complete PetScreening. (There is no fee for applicants who do not have a pet or have a qualified ESA or Service Animal)
- Ensures all applicants are aware of your pet policy
- Provides legal documentation of policy awareness and current pet ownership status
Learn more: Protect Pet-Friendly Rentals With PetScreening and Rentec Direct
(Housing providers with strict no pet policies may not be able to use this service)
PetScreening Benefits for Tenants
PetScreening offers several advantages for tenants:
- Establish a Good Pet History: Registering pets over time helps build a responsible pet owner history.
- FidoAlert and TabbyAlert Network: Tenants can sign up for this nationwide pet alert network in case their pets get lost.
- Every registered pet receives a free customized pet tag with a unique ID and QR code.
- If a lost pet is found, scanning the QR code instantly notifies the owner and their emergency contacts via SMS and email.
- Promotes Transparency: Encourages open communication about pet ownership.
- Creates History: Allows tenants to demonstrate they are responsible pet owners and their pets are well-behaved.
More About Pet Fees
Pet Fees – There is a certain amount of risk involved with all animals. Pet fees can offset potential damage costs and generate passive income. Rentec Direct software offers tools to easily add pet deposits, one-time charges, and recurring surcharges to tenant invoices.
- Pet Rent: Can generate passive income or cover expenses
- One-time Pet Fee: Can be refundable or non-refundable for damages or administrative burden
- Pet Deposit: Covers potential damages
Note: Verify allowable pet-related fees with your city or state
ESA Pet Fee Waivers: What You Need to Know
Have you received a pet fee waiver request? Are you required to waive the pet fee? A recent ruling in Henderson v. Five Properties LLC (in favor of housing providers) suggests you may not be required to waive animal fees for ESAs, making it essential to know your rights.
While this court ruling is binding in the Eastern District of Louisiana, it has raised awareness among housing providers regarding their obligations. It also encourages the use of third-party services, such as PetScreening, to confirm ESA eligibility. Typically, the security deposit can be applied toward damages caused by household animals. Consider outsourcing to a third party that understands state-by-state laws and assumes the risk of asking tough questions to verify ESAs.
The Henderson v. Five Properties LLC ruled that the property management company was offering reasonable accommodations by allowing a payment plan on the pet fee, potentially allowing housing providers to reasonably charge a pet fee for ESA eligible animals.
Learn more: Recent Rental Ruling May Impact ESA Law
Establishing a Good Foundation with Current Tenants
To effectively implement a new or updated pet policy, consider these steps for existing tenants:
- Require Existing Tenants to Complete PetScreening: This helps standardize pet information across your community.
- Create a PetScreening Account: Effectively manage pet profiles and validate assistance animals.
- Send Current Tenants Links: Provide easy-to-access links for them to complete their PetScreening profiles.
- Update Your Leases: When implementing a new or updated pet policy, it’s important to ensure all lease agreements reflect it. This may require an addendum or a new lease for existing tenants.
- Outsource Pet Risk Assessment: Use services like PetScreening to outsource pet risk assessment and assistance-animal validation.
Housing providers can benefit from state-specific legal documents that ensure accurate language and compliance in rental agreements and pet addenda. Additionally, third-party vetting sources ensure fair treatment of all applicants and residents and effective policy implementation, helping to create a well-crafted pet policy and potentially generate passive income.
Have Questions?
Reach out to Rentec Direct’s award-winning US-based Success Team:
- Email success@rentecdirect.com
- Phone 800-881-5139 x2
- Tap on a Help Link, then select Email or Live Chat
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About Rentec Direct
Rentec Direct delivers industry-leading property management software and tenant screening solutions to real estate professionals. Key features include online rent payments, mobile apps, tenant and owner portals, vacancy listing syndication, and accounting tools. Founded in 2007, Rentec Direct is the third-largest software provider in its sector and is consistently the highest-rated by investors, landlords, and property managers. Recognized on the Inc. 5000 list of fastest-growing private companies for nine consecutive years, Rentec Direct was also named Real Estate Company of the Year in the 2025 American Business Awards and listed among the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s Top 100 Small Businesses. rentecdirect.com
