Pet Paw-licies: Seize the Market by Sensibly Allowing Pets

Did you know that 68% of U.S. households have a pet?  A survey of renters put the figure even higher at 70. You can unleash new leasing opportunities with thoughtful “paw-licies” while protecting your interests and your property. If you’re restricting pets on your property, you’re shutting out a majority of the available marketplace.  What’s more, disability-related aid animals aren’t “pets” so you’re likely to have some animals on site one way or another. All animals (pets or disability-related aid animals) should be expected to adhere to appropriate policies designed to protect the property and avoid disturbing neighbors.

But what’s reasonable?  What things should you consider?

This session with Jo Becker, is chalked FULL of considerations every property manager should take into account when it comes to animals on the property!  It also includes a brief primer on the differences between pets, service, and assistance animals, as well as HUD’s guidance on animal accommodations. You’ll walk away with concrete ideas, sample verbiage, and real-world considerations to help review, revise, or craft your own “paw-licies.”

Along with copies of the PowerPoint presentation (PDF), attendees will also receive several resource documents including several that relate to animals in housing from HUD, animals under the ADA from the DOJ, as well as a white paper on breed bans from the American Bar Association.

Webinar Objectives

The majority of U.S. households include at least one animal, but only 55% of landlords allow pets.  There’s a fundamental disconnect in the marketplace. Would-be renters are often discouraged and frustrated to see their online search results and viable options cut in half or more as soon as they check the box for pets. Deciding to allow pets in addition to accommodating disability-related aid animals is an important and multi-faceted consideration. Doing so can increase marketability, as well as improve retention – and you can do so while protecting your interests! 

Jo will cover detailed information on how to screen tenants with pets, and how to address animals in your paperwork.

She’ll also touch briefly on:

• property damage,
• breed bans,
• bites,
• general liable,
• allergies,
• the Fair Housing Act, and the Americans Disability Act

Webinar Agenda

• The Market
• Pet Pros & Cons
• What You Need to Know about Animal Accommodations
• Paw-licy Considerations
• Going ‘Above & Beyond’
• A Few Words on Maintaining Personal Safety Around Residents’ Animals
• Q&A

Webinar Highlights

• The market for pet-positive properties, along with the pros and cons of reasonably allowing pets in addition to accommodating disability-related aid animals.
• Just how big the issues of damage and nuisance are and how to avoid them with animals on your property.
• The importance of applying policies consistently, as well as responding to violations professionally and promptly
• What to expect when it comes to aid animals (i.e., service and assistance animals)
• A few tips for reading critter body language (as well as adjusting your own body language) to decrease the odds of attacks or other unfortunate encounters with residents’ critters, regardless of their classification 
• We’ll also touch very briefly on breed bans, bites, general liable, allergies, fair housing issues, etc.
• Also included:  Sample policy verbiage for your consideration

Who Should Attend

• Leasing managers
• On-site managers
• Portfolio managers
• Compliance officers
• Resident services coordinators (in affordable housing communities)
• Community concierges (in high-end housing communities)
• Independent landlords or small operators