Need Unbiased Op...Would you rent to this person (Dog Issue)? - Page 1

My best tenents gave notice they will be moving at the end of their lease. So the hunt for new ones began.  The house is beautiful and it's in a very desireable part of town so the calls were almost obnoxious coming in all weekend.  Since my tenents were nice enough to let me start showing it before they move out I decided to schedule the one's I was considering as "good candidates" all at the same time tonight in hopes I'd make a decission by the weekend.

I narrowed it down to 2 BUT by selecting either one I am doing something I've never taken the chance on...renting with pets.  This time I felt I'd keep that option open in case I had a good prospect and the circumstances were right.   I'm looking for outsiders thoughts on who you would feel more comfortable in renting to (both are looking to be long term tenents).

1st candidate is a Lady who came with her 6 yr old daughter and a family friend; her husband is coming home from Iraq next month (he's a reserve) and will return to his 14 yr job as a city police officer.  Very nice lady, almost too nice. She came prepared with pictures of her family, husband, and then sprung the question "how do you feel about dogs?".  I said well I love dogs, I have 4 of my own what type of dog do you have?  She said I have 2.  One is a beagle mix who's 8yrs and I have a 3 yr old Bull Mastiff.  I said Well I don't know, if you had 1 dog we could maybe consider it but you have 2 and my concern is that this isn't a big house with a spacious yard to accomodate such a big dog and a medium dog let alone the inside of the home is rather tight for 2 adults, 2 kids and 2 dogs....she had all the right answers, dogs are lazy, they're housebroke, crate trained, she's a stay at home mom....I said "let me think it over".  They clearly can afford the place. Later that evening she called me because she could tell I was not thrilled about the dog situation and she said whatever additional deposit you'd require for the dogs is fine, we'll even pay something additional on the rent for the dogs; I love the house and will do anything to make you feel comfortable to rent to us, we even have renters insurance.  I said I will let you know by friday once I've had an opportunity to verify your information on your application.  After reading the application I saw she sates she also has 2 cats, fixed and declawed.  I'm an animal lover but this just kinda set me over the edge because now not only am I faced with accepting a pet but I was willing to entertain 2 dogs, now I'm left with do I want to rent to someone with 4 friggin pets???  Honestly I like the lady, she very well may be a wonderful tenent to have BUT I'm really struggling with all these pets and don't know what to do about it.

2nd candidtate is husband, wife, and 20 yr old son.  All work professional jobs, they clearly can afford the house also.  They also have a dog BUT its an 8 yr old cocker spaniel.  My only concern with them is they stated they are all working most of the time so that leaves me with one question....who takes care of the dog?  My gutt tells me to rent to them because they have less "baggage" but the first tenent was so persistant and infatuated with the house that I was leaning more towards her despite the fact she basically wants to bring a petting zoo to the neighborhood. lol 

What do the wise members of the board say???

Under no circumstances..I've been there done that. I left Texas City and a beautiful newly redecorated home , gated and with a covered swimming pool. Home had all white carpet, gold handles everywhere, beautiful tile floors, and smelled brand new.   Rented it to a preacher of the largest non denominational churcn in area, with two cats and a lab...lab ate my bushes up , tore the screen room bottom out of the swimming room outdoor room, and the later part of the first year, I stopped by to visit , and when he opened the front door, cat smell knocked me right down...I was so angry I had to make an excuse and leave..I gave them 60 days to get out and told them I was moving home..I did, gave up a 7 acres peach farm and beautiful home in Chandler , Texas, went back home, fixed home to the tune of 10,000.00 and sold the place..Back to East Texas I came....Never again. If I ever relocate, my home will sit here till the mice and the ants and the gophers uproot it...At least it wont smell like cat urine and dogs tearing it up...my dogs are not allowed to do such. There isnt enough money in America for me to ever rent with pets again..People have no discipline..Oh, right  , gonna crate it...why do they have a dog if they have to keep in a crate at 8 yrs old...I couldnt wait till mine got three yrs old to allow them to be out all the time.

YR

My dad rents houses and he will never rent to people with pets, someone sneaked 2 pets in on him and he ended up giving them 30 days and when they went in there as soon as you walked in fleas everywhere, had to be bombed and had to redo the whole house, If I was you I would keep looking not that I am against anyone with pets but not everyone will take care of them like some of us, and if she is being pushy on trying to get this, she may have done something at her last place meaning she is willing to pay more for her dogs (she should have said she had cats as well right then) I say her dogs or cats isn't as well behaved as she said they are

Yellow Rose, Joel Olsteen's pets did that?  LOL!!

Agar,

I would not rent to the first lady.  She was already dishonest with you in the interview about the cats!  There is a reason she is offering extra on top of the rent for the pets.........cause she KNOWS she is going to leave your house in a horrible mess!  Cats get their panties in a wad and pee on the walls, carpet or just whatever!  Cat pee is extremely difficult to get all of the odor out of your house no matter what you do!!

Rent to the couple with the 20 year old son....their schedules may not all be the same even though they are all 3 professionals!  One, it is a 20 year old son and not a toddler!  Two, it is ONE dog not 4 animals! 

My official vote is couple #2!

Vickie

www.PowerHausKennels.com

Easy way to tell....ask to see the house they live in now, if the animals destroyed the place then they will destroy yours too.  Depends on the people, I have 5 German Shepherds and a Corgi that all live inside...crated half the time, out with me or outside the other half....my house is pretty spotless and they learn early not to eat my stuff.   I have seen people with just one dog let that dog DESTROY the house.  Either one sound OK. 

Agar-

This past year, for the first time in 15 years, I have rented to someone with a dog. When I first bought my house i had rented to a 70 year old gentleman with a cocker spaniel. I explained the rules of having a pet (cleaning up after him, keeping on leash) since I had my own GSD also. The man's dog was always running loose, he never cleaned up after him,  and the dog made a mess of the apartment. I vowed to never again rent to someone with a dog. A few years later I rented to a couple with a young child. The day they moved in they told me they had a cat. Feeling in a bind, I let them keep it with extra security deposit. They stayed on for 4 years, however, when they moved out I found the cat had been "missing" the litter box, and the carpet reeked of cat urine. No more cats since.

The tenant I have now is extremely responsible regarding her dog. She cleans up after her, and her family comes over during the day to let her out. This tenant also paid extra security to have her dog. Since I am now an "absentee" landlord, I felt I needed to be open minded about dogs since I did not want to risk losing a great tenant and having an empty apartment.  I am glad I made the decision I did.

I get personal references and employment references on all of my applicants and check them thoroughly. Previous landlords will not hesitate to let you know if there were any problems. I would lean towards applicant #2 since it is an older professional family with only 1 pet. Applicant #1 is sending up red flags to me.

JMHO

I would not rent to the first couple, the woman didn't come forward with everything and that is a HUGE red flag.  Ask to go visit the 2nd families current residence without giving them a week to get the place in order, tell them you need to see ASAP to make you mind up.  If their place looks like a wreck, move away from them both!!!!

Teri

I would take the pets over the 20 yr old any day LOL

20 yr old boys SMELL.....ewwww

no seriously i would take the lady with the pets and make her pay extra on her deposit and rent . also put in the contract she has to repair / pay for any damages to the property

my house was a zoo a few years ago 5 dogs 3 snakes 3 rats 1 chipmunk and whatever i was fostering at the time

we rented and gave a HUGE deposit the landlord did regular checks and all was well

is there any way you can go and see the property she is currently living in?? 

it might give an idea of how houseproud she is....

I was a renter for many years. During this time I always had at least 3 GSD's.

It was extremely hard to find landlords that would allow my dogs, so I made damn sure I never abused the priveledge.

On the odd occasion that my dogs did damage anything, I immediately payed to have it repaired.

For all homes that I rented, when I vacated, I was given a reference by the landlord, which stated how well cared for the property was, and that the dogs were no trouble and caused no damage.

Do any of your prospective renters have references which will not only vouch for the people, but the dogs as well?

If you could check with previous landlords, this might help with your decision.

Julie

Powerhaus:   Abundant Life in Texas City, not Houston