Should You Let Pets Stay in Your Houston Rental? Pros, Cons, and Price Tips

One of the most common and important decisions landlords in Houston have to make is whether or not to let pets live in their rental. Houston has a lot of pet owners and a lot of people looking to rent, so pet-friendly policies can have a big effect on occupancy, revenue, and the quality of tenants. But pets can also bring risks that need to be carefully managed.

We’ll go over the pros and cons of letting pets in this article, as well as some smart pricing tips to help Houston landlords decide if it’s a good idea for their long-term rental.

Why Rentals That Allow Pets Do Well in Houston

Houston is one of Texas’s best cities for pets. There are lots of parks, walking trails, and communities that are good for pets. Many renters actively look for pet-friendly places to live, but there aren’t always enough of them.

Allowing pets can:

Get more qualified people to apply
Cut down on the time it takes to fill vacancies
Get tenants who will stay for a long time
Keep more tenants

In crowded rental markets, pet-friendly policies give many Houston landlords an edge over their competitors.

Benefits of letting pets stay in your Houston rental

More people want to rent it and it rents out faster

Rentals that allow pets always get more calls. Landlords can often rent out their properties faster and avoid long vacancies because fewer of them allow pets.

Tenants Stay Longer

Tenants with pets are more likely to renew their leases because moving with pets is hard. Longer stays lower the costs of cleaning, turnover, and lost rent.

More money from rent

Rentals that allow pets often make sense:

Base rent is higher
Rent for pets every month
Pet fees that can’t be refunded

These extra ways to make money can really increase your annual returns.

Cons of letting pets in: possible damage to property

Pets can do:

Scratches on doors and floors
Stains and smells in carpets
Damage to the landscaping

But good screening and policies can help lower a lot of this risk.

Complaints from neighbors about noise

Barking or other disruptive behavior can cause problems with neighbors, especially in communities where people share space or where the HOA manages the property.

Things to think about when it comes to insurance and liability

Some types of insurance don’t cover certain breeds or animals. Before letting pets in, it’s important to check on coverage and local rules.

How to Lower Risk with Pet-Friendly Policies: Carefully Screen Pets

Screening pets is just as important as screening tenants. Best practices are:

Limiting the number and size of pets
Making vaccination and vet records necessary
Looking over the history or references of a pet

Standards that are clear help keep your property safe.

Make sure your pet rules are clear

Strong lease clauses should cover:

Expectations for noise
Responsibilities for cleaning up trash
Places where pets are welcome
Consequences for damage

Clear rules make it less likely that people will get confused or have trouble following them.

Set up regular inspections

Regular property inspections help find problems with pets early, before they turn into expensive repairs.

Smart Pricing Tips for Pet-Friendly Rentals in Houston Rent for Pets Each Month

Monthly pet rent, which is usually $25 to $50 per pet, pays for wear and tear and can greatly boost long-term income.

Pay a Pet Fee or Deposit

A lot of landlords in Houston charge:

A pet fee that can’t be refunded to cover cleaning and small repairs
Or a pet deposit that you can get back if there is damage

When setting fees, always follow Texas rental laws.

Change the base rent in a smart way

In areas where there is a lot of demand for pet-friendly rentals, the base rent may be a little higher because there aren’t many available and tenants are very interested.

When You Shouldn’t Let Pets

A no-pet policy might still make sense in some cases:

High-end finishes on luxury homes
Rules for HOAs or condos
Properties with walls that are shared and are sensitive to noise
Limits on insurance or zoning

Your property type, location, and risk tolerance should all play a role in your decision.

Houston Market Insight: Rentals that allow pets vs. those that don’t

In a lot of neighborhoods in Houston, rentals that allow pets:

Lease more quickly
Have fewer open positions
Over time, make more money in net income

There is some extra risk, but vacancy loss usually costs a lot more than fixing things that go wrong with pets.

How Home CoHost Helps Houston Landlords Keep Track of Pet-Friendly Rentals

Letting pets in doesn’t have to be more work. Home CoHost helps landlords in Houston set up smart pet policies that protect their pets and make them money. Home CoHost makes sure that pet-friendly rentals are managed professionally by screening tenants and pets, enforcing leases, coordinating maintenance, and keeping an eye on the property. Home CoHost helps landlords make the most money from their rentals while lowering their risk. They do this by providing full-service property management and expert local knowledge. Visit homecohost.com to find out more.