Unusual Animals in Rentals: How to Deal With Them Top Tips

Many homeowners also manage rental properties. But how do you deal with unusual animal in rentals? In this article we offer some top tips on how to deal with such unusual pets as the renters enter your property and when they leave. Read on to learn more.

Dealing with Legal but Uncommon Animals in Rentals

unusual animals like a tortoise — A tortoise is one of the most unusual of animals in rentals.
Photo credit – **Darius Krause**

It’s much more popular than it was a decade ago for landlords to open their doors to pets. Many of them even go out of their way to cater to their furry tenants by adding pet-friendly decor and fittings for the most common pets, such as a dog, a cat, and maybe even birds and a fish.

But what happens when a tenant brings in something more exotic, such as a Burmese python or a miniature pot-bellied pig? While these animals may be perfectly legal to own in your jurisdiction, they often occupy a “gray area” in standard lease agreements. While your first reaction may be to say no, this guide will help you understand what it takes to go to a maybe or yes.

What Constitutes Uncommon Animals in Rentals?

Exotic Mammals

Some unusual animals in rentals that don’t fit into the canine or feline family are often considered exotic, and can include ferrets, hedgehogs, and sugar gliders. Even some barnyard animals fit under this category, such as miniature pigs. Bay Property Management Group helps ensure that every animal on the premises is properly documented. While it’s legal to house these pets in residential buildings, there are concerns for landlords because their odor and noise are often less predictable. Besides, some of these animals may be a yellow flag if they’re not caged properly because they can chew on baseboards and wiring in your apartment.

Reptiles and Amphibians

Tenants who prefer more cold-blooded pets may own snakes, lizards, and frogs. Beyond being creepy to other residents, venomous animals may need stricter conditions or even outright bans to prevent incidents if they escape. There are also concerns relating to their containment, such as heating equipment creating a fire hazard, or large terrariums carrying the risk of water damage or extra wear and tear through their sheer weight.

Aquatic and Specialty Animals

Large aquariums, turtles, or specialty species like axolotls also fall into the uncommon category because of their setup. That’s why many leases have a clause that prohibits fish tanks greater than 10 gallons, to reduce the structural pressure and impact of a leak.

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Assessing Risk vs. Reward

pet pig standing indoors — Pet pigs are unusual pets, and certainly among the most unusual animals in rentals
Photo credit – Giulia Botan

Evaluating Specific Risks

Every animal comes with its unique profile depending on their containment needs and owner. For example, a caged reptile would cause significantly less wear and tear and potentially make less noise than a free-roaming miniature pig.

That’s why it’s essential to ask the pet owner specific questions. Talk to your tenant about where they plan to keep the animal, how often they plan on cleaning their unit, and what safety precautions they’re putting in place to prevent an escape. Their answers can help you better understand and anticipate any extra wear and tear or odor complaints from the neighbors.

How the Pet Might Affect Other Tenants

Speaking of neighbors, it’s vital to know how a pet can affect your other tenants and if it encroaches on their rights. Noise from exotic mammals, fear of snakes, and even allergies can make it difficult for a tenant with an uncommon pet to coexist with your current renters.

Besides potentially affecting their right to quiet enjoyment, there’s also the matter of safety with animals in rentals, especially if the pet can gain access to shared spaces. As a result, you may have to anticipate settling a conflict between two neighbors over a loose iguana or a rambunctious parrot. Also, it is essential to prepare for a structured pet screening and require information such as necessary vaccination records and behavioral history.

Drafting Specific Pet Addendums

Most pet-friendly landlords use standard leases that accommodate common pets such as dogs and cats. However, unusual animals in rentals may need an additional addendum that caters to their needs. For example, you may require tenants to get insurance for their pets if yours doesn’t cover damage from exotic animals. You also want to clarify where the pet is allowed to enter on the premises, and how tenants are expected to contain them when they’re not in their cage. It would be best to add your expectations on cleaning and noise control as well.

pet lizard sitting on a hand — A pet lizard counts among the unusual animals in rentals
Photo credit – Ricardo CL

How to Deal With Animals in Rentals in Conclusion

Having legal but uncommon animals in rentals introduces a layer of complexity that can go beyond your standard lease and tenancy arrangement. Still, that doesn’t mean you should turn away every tenant that owns something more exotic than a dog or cat. With a thorough pet-specific screening and the right rules in place, you can make it work.

Address any potential risks related to animals in rentals early by asking questions about the pet’s profile to get an idea of any potential damage or extra wear and tear that could warrant a larger security deposit or pet fee. Also, consider if any of your current tenants have a phobia or allergy to the new pet, and how that could affect conflict resolution or even turnover rates. If you’re satisfied with the pet’s profile, remember to draft a specific addendum to address any lapses.