What to Expect in the Pet Screening Process

As pet ownership continues to grow, more landlords are embracing the advantages of pet-friendly properties. Allowing pets only attracts a larger pool of tenants and helps fill vacancies faster, but it requires balancing this opportunity with concerns about noise and potential property damage.

This is where pet screenings play a vital role.

For tenants, understanding the pet screening process can be a significant advantage. By creating a “pet resume” that highlights your pet’s behavior, health, and qualifications, you can help your pet stand out as a responsible addition to any rental. This preparation can make a strong impression on landlords and increase your chances of securing a pet-friendly home.

Whether you’re a landlord looking to broaden your tenant options or a renter seeking a welcoming space for you and your pet, this guide will provide valuable insights on effective pet screening practices. From developing clear screening criteria to crafting a compelling pet resume, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know to make the process smooth and successful.

Understanding pet screening

Pet screening acts as a background check for animals, evaluating their suitability for rental properties based on species-specific considerations — from a cat's scratching habits to a bird's noise levels or a reptile's enclosure requirements.

Much like checking a tenant's rental history and credit score, this process helps landlords assess whether a pet will be compatible with their property standards.

When tenants plan to bring a pet to their current rental or secure a new pet-friendly home, they typically receive a screening application from their property manager. For assistance animals, tenants can submit a reasonable accommodation request in accordance with HUD's Fair Housing Act guidelines.

Common questions about pet screening

Pet screening processes can raise questions for both landlords and tenants. Let's look at typical scenarios from both perspectives:

• From the Tenant's Side: A recent Chicago renter on Reddit shared that "We applied for an apartment and were approved, but weren't sure what to expect with pet screening. We had to fill out profiles for our dog and cat on a third-party website and pay a $25 fee for each pet. The property manager was out of office, leaving us uncertain about next steps."
• From the Landlord's Side: Property managers often ask, "How can I efficiently screen multiple pet applications while ensuring consistency and compliance with local regulations?"

Key points for both parties:

For tenants:

• Expect to create detailed online profiles for each pet
• Budget for screening fees (typically $20-35 per pet)
• Be prepared to submit documentation before lease signing
• Don't hesitate to ask for clarification about the process

For landlords:

• Consider using third-party platforms to standardize screening
• Clearly communicate fee structures and timelines to applicants
• Have a system in place for reviewing pet profiles efficiently
• Maintain consistent screening criteria across all applications

The most successful pet screening processes occur when both parties understand their roles and communicate effectively. Property managers should provide clear guidelines, while tenants should be prepared with complete documentation and prompt responses.

What property managers should look for when screening pets

Property managers must prioritize a few key factors to conduct a proper pet screening process. Firstly, evaluating the pet’s behavior and training is key to gauge its suitability for communal living.

Secondly, verifying vaccination records and adherence to local regulations ensures compliance and safety for all residents. Lastly, fostering open communication with prospective tenants about their pet’s needs and habits establishes transparency, laying the foundation for a cooperative and inclusive environment within the property.

This screening process mitigates potential issues and cultivates a welcoming atmosphere for pets and residents alike. A pet friendly property manager's approach, such as using PetScreening to streamline assistance animal processes and implement pet policies, can further enhance this inclusivity and generate additional pet-related revenue.

How tenants can prepare their pets for a screening

Landlords generally look for fundamental qualities during pet screenings, such as proper grooming, sufficient house training, and low noise levels — the traits any responsible pet owner would aspire to instill in their animal companion.

One effective way to showcase these qualities is through a pet resume. Think of it as your pet's professional profile — it should include the following:

• Basic information (age, breed, weight)
• Training certificates or obedience class completion
• Veterinary records showing vaccinations and regular check-ups
• References from previous landlords, veterinarians, or pet sitters
• Photos showing your pet well-groomed and in their home environment

However, grooming your furry friend for such evaluations is not a last-minute task. Cultivating these desirable traits requires consistent training from the time of adoption.

Early and dedicated training efforts are key to ensuring your animal companion meets screening criteria, facilitating a smoother approval process for a pet-friendly residence.

The pet screening process — Step by step

Knowing what steps to take and what questions to ask when initiating pet screening work is incredibly important. The guide below can help you nail down the process.

Additionally, it's important to understand the significance of accommodating requests for assistance animals, as they aren't subject to the same rules as ordinary pets under fair housing law.

1. Clearly define rules and guidelines

Once a tenant or applicant has expressed their desire to bring a pet onto the rental property, the landlord should clearly explain the rules for animals. They should highlight any applicable lease terms, request reasonable accommodations such as acceptable noise levels, and share pet-specific documentation with the tenant, such as a pet addendum.

Landlords should also inform tenants of any associated fees at this time. Whether a pet security deposit, a non-refundable one-time fee, or pet rent is required, making a tenant aware of the financial weight of bringing their animal onto the property can help them determine whether to carry on with the next steps in the pet screening process.

2. Complete the pet screening application

Next, the tenant will receive a pet screening application to fill out. The application might come in paper form, or a landlord might ask a tenant to complete an application through an online pet screening service first.

Either way, both parties need to have physical proof of the application they can refer to at any time. Implementing pet screening can also help property managers generate additional pet-related revenue by making their properties more pet-inclusive.

3. Assessing the pet screening application

The landlord will review the responses once prospective tenants have submitted their applications, including conducting a background check for the prospective tenant’s pet. If the applicant seems responsible and is requesting to bring home a low-stakes pet, such as a hamster, approval might happen at this point.

If a landlord still has uncertainties about the pet's behavior or wants to take further measures to ensure it is a good fit, they might take extra steps in the screening process.

4. The pet interview

When a property manager seeks to evaluate a pet further before deciding, they’ll ask for an in-person interview with the prospective tenant and their pet. It’s always a good idea for landlords to request to meet the pet in person to smooth out any fuzzy details on the application.

For example, a pet parent might view their animal’s bad behavior as endearing, whereas neighbors would not. Seeing the pet’s behavior with your own eyes can clear up any inherent biases.

In-person interviews benefit certain dog breeds with historically bad reputations that typically get rejected in a pet screening, allowing landlords to handle applications on a case-by-case basis. Additionally, tenants with assistance animals can submit a reasonable accommodation request to ensure compliance with HUD's Fair Housing Act guidelines.

When meeting in person, the landlord will assess several aspects of your pet:

• Compatibility with other pets and tenants on the rental property.
• Whether the pet has behavioral issues, such as excessive barking or aggression.
• Ability to respond to basic commands from its owner.
• Whether the pet in front of them matches the pet from the application.

Because pets tend to get nervous and excited when in a new place, interpret the behavioral assessment with a grain of salt. They might just need to settle in to reveal their true, well-behaved selves.

5. Make an informed decision

Landlords should consult their local and federal laws to ensure the pet is legal on the premises if approved or that the basis for the denial is legal if rejected.

Additionally, landlords must consider requests for assistance animals, which aren't subject to the same rules as ordinary pets, to ensure compliance with fair housing law.

Service animal and emotional support animal policies

Service and emotional support animals have protections under the Fair Housing Act that landlords must honor. If a tenant has a pet covered by this law, landlords cannot deny them the ability to live in the rental property, and landlords must make reasonable accommodations for the pet.

In this case, do not ask the owner to complete a pet screening application. Additionally, landlords must accept these animals without charging any pet fees due to their verified assistance roles.

What landlords can and can't request

Landlords need to tread carefully when it comes to accommodating pet owners with service animals — it’s of the utmost importance that they respect the rights of the pet and its owner. However, this doesn’t mean that landlords have no say in the matter. Here’s what landlords should know when asking an owner about their service animal:

Do’s

• Requesting the pet’s vaccination records.
• Asking for a letter from a mental health professional confirming that the tenant requires an emotional support animal.
• Ensuring that service animals and emotional support animals are not subject to the same rules as ordinary pets.

Don’t’s

• Demanding proof of certification of the animal’s service animal status.
• Requiring a pet deposit.
• Asking for proof of the tenant’s health condition that necessitates a service animal.

Exemptions

Per the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, landlords can deny a request for reasonable accommodations for a service animal in the following circumstances:

• Granting the request would impose an undue financial and administrative burden on the housing provider.
• The request would fundamentally alter the essential nature of the housing provider’s operations.
• The specific assistance animal in question would pose a direct threat to the health or safety of others despite any other reasonable accommodations that could eliminate or reduce the threat.
• The request would result in significant physical damage to the property of others despite any other reasonable accommodations that could eliminate or reduce the physical damage.

Submitting a reasonable accommodation request for an assistance animal ensures compliance with HUD's Fair Housing Act guidelines and is a secure and cost-free process.

Pet-related fees

Housing a pet comes with the inherent risk of damage to the property. To help offset the cost of repairs for pet-related damage, many property managers charge tenants fees in exchange for welcoming their pets into the rental unit. Implementing these pet policies can also generate increased pet-related revenue for property managers.

There are several different pet-related fees, which we’ll define and differentiate below. Each state has regulations surrounding these fees, so be sure to brush up on your state’s laws before charging or paying a pet fee.

Application fee

Pet application fees are charges associated with applying for a pet in a rental property. These fees cover the administrative costs linked to reviewing the online pet screening application, assessing the pet’s suitability for the property, and potentially conducting additional checks through a third-party service.

Application fees tend to be non-refundable.

Pet deposit fee

Pet deposit fees for renters act as a kind of insurance policy, similar to how a security deposit safeguards against property damage. While the security deposit covers general wear and tear, the pet deposit specifically accounts for potential damages caused by the animal during the tenancy.

Both deposits aim to protect the landlord’s property, with the pet deposit focusing on any pet-related issues beyond the normal use of the rental space.

Implementing comprehensive pet policies can help ensure compliance with housing regulations and create a more pet-inclusive environment.

Pet rent

Pet rent for renters is an additional monthly fee, typically ranging from $25 to $75, charged by landlords to accommodate pets in rental properties. Legally considered a discretionary charge, landlords have the right to implement pet rent as compensation for potential pet-related wear and tear or added property maintenance costs associated with having a pet on the premises.

Implementing pet rent can also help property managers generate increased pet-related revenue.

Taking size, breed, and temperament into account

During the pet screening process, landlords carefully assess the prospective tenant's pet’s size, breed, and behavior in alignment with their pet policy. This comprehensive evaluation allows landlords to gauge how well the pet’s size and breed align with their property guidelines and to understand the pet’s behavioral traits that may affect communal living.

For instance, some landlords may prohibit dogs over 75 pounds or dogs of a particular breed. For landlords, it’s essential to be flexible with your pet’s breed restrictions — sometimes, a 100-pound Rottweiler will be quieter and more docile than a six-pound chihuahua.

Every pet has the opportunity to be well-behaved under good ownership and with proper training, so evaluate pets on a case-by-case basis.

Can landlords legally forbid pets or certain dog breeds?

Landlords can legally prohibit certain pets or dog breeds in many parts of the country. Breed restrictions are usually based on insurance considerations, liability concerns, or perceived risk associated with certain breeds.

However, many states have deemed breed-specific legislation discriminatory. If you live in one of these 17 states, breed-specific legislation is illegal: Colorado, Florida, Illinois, Maine, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Texas, Virginia, Massachusetts, Nevada, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Utah and South Dakota.

Additionally, some animals are illegal to own on a state or federal level, so always double-check your local laws before housing an exotic pet. Pet policies, including pet rent and pet deposits, can help make properties more pet-inclusive while ensuring compliance with housing regulations.

How Azibo simplifies pet-friendly leasing for landlords

With Azibo, landlords can streamline the pet-friendly leasing process by incorporating state-specific lease agreements that outline pet terms and conditions, setting clear expectations from the start.

Azibo’s platform also makes it easy to collect pet rent and deposits, offering added security for property owners. Plus, landlords can manage ongoing maintenance and communication directly through Azibo’s portal, ensuring both tenant and pet needs are met effectively.

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Creating successful pet-friendly rentals

Whether you're a landlord or tenant, understanding the pet screening process is important for creating successful pet-friendly rental arrangements. For property managers, thorough screening helps protect your investment while expanding your tenant pool and potentially increasing revenue.

For renters, knowing how to navigate the screening process and present your pet professionally through proper documentation and preparation can significantly improve your chances of securing the right home.

Remember that effective pet screening isn't just about checking boxes — it's about fostering a community where both humans and their animal companions can thrive. By approaching the process with transparency, understanding, and proper preparation, both parties can create lasting, mutually beneficial rental relationships.

Keep in mind that while standard pets require screening and may incur additional fees, service animals and emotional support animals operate under different guidelines protected by fair housing laws. Understanding these distinctions helps ensure compliance and creates an inclusive environment for all residents.

With the right approach to pet screening, everyone benefits: landlords maintain quality properties, tenants find welcoming homes for their pets, and communities become more vibrant and pet-friendly spaces.