The perks of pet friendly for renters

Finding a pet friendly rental home is becoming increasingly tough, as a "no pet" policy seems to be spreading across major metros in South Africa. Many landlords and body corporates are adopting a "no pet" policy, making the hunt for pet friendly accommodation a grim process for pet owners. There are several advantages to accepting tenants with animals These include having a larger prospective tenant pool, that pet owners tend to be more financially stable and tend to stay longer, and that responsible pet owners are responsible and happier tenants. According to Euromonitor International, animals also help to reduce stress. Landlords who are willing to offer pet friendly accommodation and include a pet related addendum in their lease agreement are more likely to enjoy greater peace of mind. It is, however, advisable that both the tenant and the landlord have clear expectations. It is also reasonable for a landlord to restrict the type, size and number of pets allowed. The tenant must also agree to maintain a high standard of cleanliness and sanitation, and to monitor noise or disturbances. Lew Geffen, chairman of Lew Geffen Sotheby's International Realty, says that a tighter density is the future in every city in South Africa, just as surely as people will continue to want to keep pets. He argues that in such a tight national economy, a compromise will eventually need to be made, as bonds will still have to be serviced and rental properties cannot stand vacant for months. "If trustees and landlords want to maintain standards by having their choice of the most desirable residents out of the entire pool of home seekers, rather than simply the best of those who do not own animals, then more flexibility will be needed in the property marketplace," he concluded