Renting a house brings great feelings such as excitement, joy, and fulfillment. However, when the topic of fees comes up, it’s normal for you to become tense. People who have pets know that pet screening and property management fees are not new things within the rental market.
So what are these fees, and what do landlords use them for? Is it only a ploy for landlords to extract more money from you, or is it justified? If you ever want to understand more about the whys of pet screening or any other property management fees, you will find this article useful. Continue reading below as you learn everything about pet screening and other property management fees.
What is Pet Screening?
You may do a pet screening to a background check that allows a landlord or a property manager to screen your furry friend before letting them join the rental house.
Pet screening ensures that a pet and its property will be a good match and centers around ensuring that everyone involved is safe and happy. You can create an online profile for your pet, including breed, age, weight, vaccination record, and even behaviors that the landlord will assess.
Then, the landlord can assess potential threats such as damage or liability issues with this information. Pet screening also provides information for pet-related costs such as fees, deposits, or rents. While this might sound like one more hoop, pet screening is for your ultimate benefit. To begin with, it clarifies your and your landlord’s expectations and leaves little chance of surprises further during the lease. It also gives you a good opportunity to show how perfect your pet’s record is and how responsible you are as a pet owner.
Timeline of Pet Screening
To begin with, applications are one of many ways landlords screen you as a would-be tenant. They would want to know the type of dog you would be bringing with you, the age, a brief about their vaccinations, and certificates on their training and certification.
After all these, submit this request to your landlord for approval of having the pet. The time it takes to process this might take about two days to a week, depending on how elaborate. In some platforms, another possible way to make a quick decision is to compute the pet risk score online.
Once your pet has been approved, you must pay any deposits or fees and complete the rental agreement. This is the moment for you and your pet to come and live in and start making your new house a place you can call home.
What Documents are Required for Pet Screening?
Getting an ID card for your pet is the basis of your pet assessment. That’s why you should start with packing the right documents showing your pet’s personal history and your preferences about cats and dogs.
First, you should have vaccination records with you. This assures the landlord that the animal is vaccinated and would not pass contagious animal diseases like rabies and distemper to others. If you’re a landlord, you must also have a valid registration, as almost all municipalities require businesses to have a license, and you will be much happier if you have gone that extra mile.
Presenting such documents may be helpful if your pet has been through obedience classes or has been designated as a service or emotional support animal. Apart from the standard behavior, the information may include considerable details: for example, distinctive features your pet may have. Some landlords may require you to submit a recent photograph or video of your pet. The extra information will save time screening your pet and be seen as a sign of responsibility for securing a pet like this one.
3 Good Reasons to Add Pet Screening Fees to Property Management Fees
1. Protect the Property from Potential Damage
Pets can be a great source of fun but can also be a nightmare in just a few minutes. Landlords should think about chewed doors and razed walls and floors. Landlords and property managers explore the possibility and rational need for low-risk pets under responsible ownership criteria through such fees.
This way, your landlord will not incur repair expenses, and you, as a tenant, understand that your landlord has insurance to minimize risk. It is such a bursary for you and your landlord in the long run. Property managers in Philadelphia deal with maintenance requests that tenants submit to them when necessary.
2. Create Fairness for All Tenants
Some renters may not understand why they should pay for difficulties that can come from other tenants who have pets. However, landlords should build the pet screening fee into their agreements to cover costs incurred by pet owners.
This will allow you to prove your responsible nature as a pet owner through a professional screening process, and the owners without pets won’t have to pay for something that doesn’t affect them. The landlord may use the money collected to resolve issues created by the pets: inspecting allergenic substance discharge, cleaning common areas, and managing a pet waste station.
3. Improve the Quality of Tenants and Pets
Homeowners consider many pet owners in pet screening to be more responsible and able to abide by rules and take care of property. Better screenings can also guarantee that the pet is suitable for such an environment, well-behaved, and healthy.
Tenants are less likely to create discontent, and the renting process runs smoother. Landlords could also use this process as a legal tactic to assist with determining service or support animals and develop an inclusive setting. Pet screening allows for transparency, which is essential in maintaining a cordial landlord-tenant relationship.
Conclusion
When you rent a house, it can often be like the fees just never end. However, when it comes to pet screening and other property management fees, know that this money goes beyond merely emptying your pocket. This screening is to find a match between your pets and the property and ascertain how much work you and your landlord must do to maintain the house’s value. Knowing all those important things will make renting easy and bearable for everyone-including your pets.
