I’m about to rent my very first property and I got the following note from the property management company:
“this person applying for your house has 5 declawed indoor cats -
what do you think?”
So, what should I do? I’ve thought about increased rent, pet deposit, cleaning fee, etc. But is 5 cats too many? Thanks
No, five cats is not too many. I’d add a pet deposit or raise your existing deposit AND charge another $50 per month. We charge $100 extra deposit and $50 per month in a situation like this. At least these people were honest about having pets - many people lie about it.
I say go for it!
Good Luck,
Mike
I ALWAYS accept cat lovers as tenants.
May be this makes you feel better.
I offered permission for 2 dogs.
3 months after move in, i found that they had 4 cats.
I was pissed and sent them violation notice with the intention
to file eviction.
The tenants already have 2 months rent as deposit due to
their credit. Have been paying on time every month.
I am told the cats are sprayed/neutered.
They have litter boxes in the basement. They modified the
patio door with a small trap so the cats can go in and out.
I agreed to keep them provided they sign an agreement that
any damages above and beyond the security deposit will
be their liability including lost rent during the time it takes to
fix. The agreement contains replacing carpets/padding/subfloor
or even the concrete pad and is not limited to these.
They said they are not worried, since the cats will not damage,
but i just wanted to ensure my place is marketable without
stench.
When it is time for renewal of the lease, the rent will go up.
-Krish
De-clawed is a good sign they care about their animals. If there is carpeting in the place I would kiss it good bye.
I had a super clean lady with 3 cats in the apartment. After they left, tThe one and a half year old carpet cleaned up beautifully but the next tenant had a violent allergic reaction. I was committed to the tenant so the carpet had to go.
I could happen to you. But I say cat people are OK too. That’s my vote.
You guys always give eye-opening advice. One pet product I love is called urine-ex. just find it, keep it on hand. I found it at a vacuum cleaner shop.
Another item you may want to check into is your local animal control/ordinance…
Here, I think you have to have a kennel permit for more than 3 pets.
id check your local laws. If its in the city, that may be to many animals to have on the property. I know in are city that you can only have up to 3 Dogs. We have two right now and wanted to get 2 more for breeding purposes, but cant because of the city ordinance.
NO NO NO Way would i rent to that many animals-This is rental and most people do not care if there dog or cat pees on the rugs-Remember you have to rent it again with pee in the rug or buy new carpets
I’d have to agree with rehabber1, although the person may present good intentions - it is very tough trying to get that smell out of the house - which in turn delays your objective after that tenant leaves - to rent it out as soon as possible. I’d play it safe on this one.
Driley
I’ve been through this. Go ahead and do it but count on having to replace the carpet. That is what I had to do to get rid of the penetrating odor of cat urine. It soaks down into the pad and you never ever get rid of it.
I would charge a deposit equal to the amount of completely replacing the carpet and underlying pad.
md
Great idea! I’ll have to remember that - it will act as a deterent also ;).
Driley
Thats a great ideal about asking for enough of a deposit to replace all the carpets in the house. Is it against fair housing laws to change rules for different possible tenants? If you going to rent out to the woman with 5 cats i say walk through her previous residence. See how she took care of her previous place and talk to her previous landlord and ask did he have any problem with her cats urinating everywhere.
Declawing a cat is a good sign they really don’t care about their animals. It’s barbaric and cruel. It leaves the animal without the ability to defend itself should it ever get out. It also robs a cat of its ability to use its nails to “make biscuits” on a pillow or soft object which is something that gives it extreme pleasure.
I’ve owned cats for many years and not one has ever damaged anything. I have two right now. In fact, one is sitting on my desk next to my computer as I type. If there’s a bad cat smell in the renter’s house, they’re the slobs, not they’re cats.
I defintatly would not do it. i have had a bad experience with some cat lovers. first its just one cat. then that cat finds a boyfriend or girlfriend and i dont need to explain the rest.
my parents own a house that has been vacant for 3 years because they have gone through multiple contractors trying to get the house clean again. it has been almost completly redone with new everything except the frame. not only does the feces destroy the carpet but it soaks beyond that.
i wish i could even describe the smell but all i can say its the worst i have ever experienced.
but i guesss it depends on how responsible the people are…
at least make sure they are fixed that would show some responsibility.
id also like to add that my parents are not the contract likeing type. there more down to earth and think that since everybody is a son\daughter of god that they are good people. my parents have no mortgage payment and they arent interested in making money. they are more into the helping people get back on there feet business which isnt very lucrative.
the house is apraised at 100,000 they usually charge between 385 and 500 dollars a month where apartments go for 600 a month. they dont ask any questions. but every single time a tenant moves out they need to do at least 5,000 dollars in repairs.
even though im sure the last tenant we had was the tenant from hell i would do a background check. and make sure the cats are neutered.
the last tenant we had had at least 15 cats. and the smell after they left could be detected down the street. this is no exaggeration. we have been through multiple contractors trying to get the smell out and it is still there to this day. everything has been replaced except the frame. the smell from cat urine has to be the most powerful smell any man can smell.
anyway. dont do what my parents do. be like me and rebel.
5 cats is a lot of cats but at least make sure there neutered.
Cats are kind of funny, I have a rule of thumb that doesn’t work for dogs, birds, or even snakes, but for cats anybody that has more than 3 is a nut. It may not always be true, but I don’t know anybody that has more than 3 that is not a nut. I would check their references and if previous landlords did need to report them, then I would charge them additional per deposit, additional rent rate and rent to them.
Just thought I’d give an update. I appreciate all replies - they have helped with the decision. I decided that IF the cats were “fixed” and that I could get both more rent and a large pet deposit, I would proceed and rent it. (It’s been empty since Dec. 8th when I closed).
Original asking rent: $995 with 1 month security deposit
What I got: $1,125/month , plus $300/cat pet deposit ($1,500) plus 1 month security deposit.
Overall I’m pretty pleased. Although I have to say it’s not a done deal yet - still have to ensure they qualify, etc.
Thanks again for all input for this first time landlord!