Posted by Rich-CA on April 21, 2008 at 22:34:12:
the way a non-owner does. Had one tenant sneak a cat into a rental. After the clean out we were showing it, a prospective tenant walked in the door and asked if we had cleaned after the cat left. Same for me walking into a unit where someone smoked, even months prior. A person who is not around the smell at all will find the smell a deal killer.
Should I rent to someone with a Pit Bull? - Posted by Renting ?
Posted by Renting ? on April 19, 2008 at 09:18:50:
I have a tenant who is qualified to rent one of my homes. He has a good job history and has a perfect rental history.
However, he owns a pit bull. He says he is passive and is a little baby. I know dogs pretty well, and I know that pit bulls aren’t necessarily bad breeds, but just usually have some questionable owners. My house is somewhat secluded and has a fenced in yard. Obviously though, my concern is the dog gets loose and tears into someone. I presume I would be held responsible.
I am checking with my insurance agent to see what if any issues there are with my policies and pit bulls, but I would be curious to hear everyone’s thoughts on this. Thanks.
Re: Should I rent to someone with a Pit Bull? - Posted by Jack E
Posted by Jack E on April 22, 2008 at 16:57:58:
When all is said and done. The real question is why do it? If you are putting yourself at risk for no good reason, don’t do it! find someone else. People who rent have got to realize they may or may not be putting the owner at risk. If they just think they have to have a potentially dangerous pet, then they should buy, not rent. sorry but that is the hard truth.
Re: Should I rent to someone with a Pit Bull? - Posted by MikeChicago
Posted by MikeChicago on April 21, 2008 at 10:54:04:
I was bit by a tenant’s pit bull a few years back. He bit me once in the ankle (achilles). Fortunately, I was able to get away with only a few stitches. I suspected some nerve damage, but am OK. My ex-wife was supposed to make the trip, but I went instead at the last minute. Either she would have been smart enough to avoid the dog, or could have been hurt a lot worse than I was, so I felt fortunate. I would never rent to a pit-bull owner again. The owners tend to be undersirable, and I see this as a ref flag.
Re: Should I rent to someone with a Pit Bull? - Posted by Anne_ND
Posted by Anne_ND on April 20, 2008 at 08:56:09:
I know dogs well and I like pit bulls (BTW, American Staffordshire Terriers are basically the same thing, although purists will split hairs). My insurance excludes them, and for that reason, so do I. It’s not personal, it’s business.
I did end up renting to a tenant (a military veterinarian) who lied on her application by saying she had a “lab mix” who turned out to be half pit bull. It was a lovely, well-behaved dog, and since she drove 1200 miles into town before I realized the what the dog was (and I needed a tenant) I made an exception.
This was a duplex situation where I was living in one half and overlapped with her living in the other half for about 4 months. I walked her dog for her once or twice a day and took care of the dog when she was on travel. That was the only chance the dog got for exercise as the veterinarian just tied up the poor beast in the back yard (this happened after I left).
What I learned from this experience just confirmed my earlier experiences that people with advanced degrees make the worst tenants. And the higher the degree, the less common sense they have. I made a big mistake in thinking that a veterinarian would know proper dog care, and would know the breed of her own dog.
I have always had dog owners fill out my pet application (check the archives), which says in writing that their dog has never bitten anyone, is up to date on shots, and that they have gotten a dog-bite liability rider on their required renters insurance that names my LLC as “also insured” so that if they cancel the insurance I’m informed right away. Letting the insurance lapse is grounds for eviction.
I’ve seen no correlation between the damage a dog does to a property and its size- in fact I’ve had very little damage caused by dogs other than the grass that was killed by tying up the dog in the yard, which I now specifically forbid.
Michaela makes a good point- if you allow pets and screen carefully, especially in a pet-unfriendly market, you can get some good tenants who stay for a long time. I have one home where the first tenant owned a 10-foot python and a chesapeake bay retriever. They stayed three years. The second tenant has three cats- they just signed on for their 5th year and have been fantastic. All because no one else will rent to them.
Anne
Re: Should I rent to someone with a Pit Bull? - Posted by Chyna
Posted by Chyna on April 19, 2008 at 15:28:12:
One of my tenants has an American Staffordshire (sp?)which is large and fierce looking. I have no idea whether or not he’s aggressive.
Before I rented to them, I asked them to take out a million dollar liability policy and name me as additional insured…that way I’m covered at least to a million dollars if their dog should bite someone and I’m sued.
The policy is part of their renters’ insurance and costs about $250 a year (total)which they pay. They give me proof of coverage each year before I send out a new lease.
Regards,
Chyna
Re: Should I rent to someone with a Pit Bull? - Posted by Paul
Posted by Paul on April 19, 2008 at 12:01:34:
I checked with my insurance company when I got a new breed, there are breeds that are excluded and several that are under consideration.
Protect yourself I agree with the previous comments.
One final thought if one tennant has a dog and now a second brings one in it might create a problem.
Re: Should I rent to someone with a Pit Bull? - Posted by michaela-ATL
Posted by michaela-ATL on April 19, 2008 at 10:11:41:
Having been on the receiving end of discrimination as a dog owner (she’s not one of those considered ‘aggressive breeds’), I know how difficult it can be to find an accepting landlord. Of course some areas are worse than others - supply and demand.
here are my thoughts: certain dog breeds are considered ‘aggressive’ because they’re more head strong than others. As you pointed out the problem is usually the owner. Sometimes he/she doesn’t do the right things that will make him seen as the Alpha by the dog. If that is the case, then by instinct the dog will have to take the alpha role and protect the pack: the owner. Which will show itself as aggressive behavior. If you don’t have that kind of situation, but the dog seeing the owner as the Alpha, then you’re not likely to have a problem. Those 11 breeds are just quicker at taking the lead if the owner fails to do that. But a dog that accepts his role as ‘Pack’ is not likely to run out and be aggressive towards others.
Here’s what I suggest, if you’re willing to go that far.
Meet the dog. And meet him at his own turf, where he lives now, if that’s possible. he will be more head strong there than any neutral territory. it will also show you, if he’s destructive. IF that’s not possible, then have him bring the dog to the house to meet.
Because it’s harder to find housing when you have a pit bull, there’s a good chance that you may have a very good longterm tenant, as he’d be aware of his problem of finding other housing.
If your insurance agent is uncomfortable, ask if it would help if the tenant took the dog to an obedience class and got a certificate. And if so, ask the tenant if he’d do that. Or maybe some kind of letter from a trainer that he’s gone through a program or something.
Michaela
Re: Should I rent to someone with a Pit Bull? - Posted by Angela
Posted by Angela on April 21, 2008 at 17:18:38:
I am a property representative for a few landlords and my answer has alway been no pets allowed. No matter what kind of animal they have. Please remember the smell that comes with it.
Its not usually the insurance agent - Posted by Rich-CA
Posted by Rich-CA on April 21, 2008 at 22:01:43:
mine check with their field support adjusters to make sure since the agent rarely gets involved in a claim. For me, it also depends on what the inside of the house is like. If the house has a metal gate at the front door and tile floors, its much less of a big deal than if we have carpet and a screen door. A non dog owner really cannot determine if a dog is going to scratch holes in the hollow core doors or not. I know I cannot. I can tell which ones I think are aggressive, but my criteria is based on if they growl or try to jump up on me or run around a lot.
The toy poodles are less difficult, but housebroken is something only time tells and its not very desireable to deal with urine soaked carpet.