Guy *just* moved in April 1st.

Calls me today, "I found a puppy I couldn't resist." Laughing.

I tell him, "No puppies."

He says, "WHAT? Can't we work something out?"

I say, "No puppies."

He says, "Well I'll have to move then..."

Me: "Don't let the door hit you on the ..." [Not really, but I did say Keep me posted! and then sent him a 5 day notice to cure.]

It was a longer conversation than that because he kept asking if there was anything we could out, any deposit he could give us, anything to make it work. I pointed out to him that he had just made it almost impossible for him to move as the only two pet-friendly houses out there right now are both ours, and we DON'T ALLOW PUPPIES.

You're one tough cookie, WMH. Since my properties are all Class C and most are now carpet free, I would've told him, "Sure...$1000 non-refundable fee and $1000 damage deposit, in cash, deposited by tomorrow."

We worked it out. He's a nice guy, didn't lie, just misunderstood our Pet Friendly policies.

Good point Ken.

No, I added our regular Animal Addendum and put the $250 Puppy Premium there. If he gets rid of it (he won't) I'm happy to go back to his $1200 rent which was topping out the value for that place to begin with.

Glad it worked out...I hope this person really has the income and money management skills to afford the increase though...if I'm reading it right they're willing to pay a premium of $3000 (for the total year) for this in addition to the cost of dog food and other care the animal needs, just to have this puppy. They also claim they didn't understand the pet policy but maybe they really had the puppy already and lied about it before renting from you?

Sorry that sounds so negative, and I do hope it works out but I'm very skeptical of people who do things like this at this point after a couple of bad experiences I've had myself.

Yep, I understand those issues. He's a local businessman who has a rather successful biz going on, he's fine with the rent increase. The $3000 came about as I told him about the $3000 damages we faced after a GOOD tenant left and pet damage was far more than pet rent and security deposit.

I am always grateful to hear of a graceful win. Great job WMH! One of the many reasons that I am advertising my current (favorite) rental as pet free, is because of the damage that a puppy did to the home. My tenant wasn't so honest and my visits weren't frequent enough, apparently.

Unbelievable. $3000 for a year additional. That is truly incredible.

I would feel guilty except I *know* we've had to replace floors, chewed windowsills, clawed drapes, etc in the past. It can add up to a lot more than $3k. And he was willing to move to a place that costs $1450 to keep the dog. I looked it up on CL and if it's the one I think it is, turns out ours is nicer!

"And he was willing to move to a place that costs $1450 to keep the dog. I looked it up on CL and if it's the one I think it is, turns out ours is nicer!"

"And he was willing to move to a place that costs $1450 to keep the dog. I looked it up on CL and if it's the one I think it is, turns out ours is nicer!"

J - because of love, they fell in love with a puppy... which can be better than falling in love with a person!

Puppies are cute, they are a lot of work, but once trained there is nothing better than a great dog to greet you when you come home. I prefer Labs, always had one. But Goldens are great too.

WMH. I have an applicant for a home that I have advertised as a no pet home (because of grumpy neighbors), who is making a request that I make an exception for their golden retriever.

I have used your post as inspiration and required an above average rent increase for me to grant the exception.

I will let you know how it goes. I may owe you a commission. ;)

1Gr81, I was very frank with this guy. I told him we all love puppies, but as a dog owner myself several times over, I know the little buggers can be terribly destructive even with the best of intentions.

I told him we had just finished changing the flooring in an entire townhouse because of dog damage. Not only was it expensive, it was time-consuming and we are too old for this stuff anymore. [Note: in reality, we are happy to get rid of that carpet LOL!]

WMH I used the same approach. (Which is true.) I have had some horrific experiences w bad pet owners, and I'm not eager to relive any of them. However, they stated that this was a 6 yr old, golden retriever.

They are less than ideal candidates. Young family, both parents w new jobs, so I honestly don't mind scaring them off w an increased rent offer.

I love your puppy premium!

I turned one away earlier because they said they were getting a puppy in August, and wanted to move into my brand new places. They are teachers at the local HS, work at a summer camp in the summer, and had a breeder they were adopting from just before classes start.

I can't stand when people with NO TIME for themselves, even, want to get a puppy! "It will be crate-trained."

Those poor dogs...I hate it!

Great story! I've checked my Pet Policy Addendum and while the lease says no pets (unless with Pet Application and extra deposit and extra monthly rent) it does not say no "puppies". I am amending this today so it is very clear. Thanks for the great insight!

By the way, I am a landlord in Utah with 11 homes in Oregon. I am in town about every three months to say hi to my lessees, two independent handyman, caretaker of my beach home, and my people who serve me well from a distance.

I learned a technique from the Mr. Landlord conference two years ago.

I have ten older smaller homes but in good condition. I do not turn them over often because of my pet rule.

I start my ad with "Woof, yes your pet is family!"

I allow one pet as part of the lease agreement. I get at least $200-$300 more a month per property because of this pet concept. Let's face it, today, they say it is an emotional pet, etc. Then you must take the pet with no additional income.

Thank you, Mr. Landlord Conference, two years ago for this great tip! I am going back to the Conference in May to see what other ideas I can gain from all of you and the instructors.

My lease says no pets, but I do offer a pet lease for pets that meet my criteria.