for years i relented and allowed pets. over time i realized that all dogs are vandals and developed the following pet prohibition which i include as a page of my lease. the tenants seem to like the casual style of it and it is crystal clear. feel free to copy and use as you see fit.

regarding pets...thou shalt not getteth.

the lease names all pets permitted on the property, if any, and NO SUBSTITUTE, REPLACEMENT or ADDITIONAL PETS MAY BE MOVED IN FOR ANY AMOUNT OF TIME including your friends pet when he or she is out of town and you want to “pet sit”.

If you want to pet sit go to the pets home and sit there all you want. if you want to get a pet, get a new home first, THEN get all the pets you want.

I have learned that ALL dogs are vandals and they destroy things. Unfortunately the things they destroy most are MY things. Screens, doors, glass, door jambs, carpets, carpet pads, hardwood floors, fences, decks, gutters, baseboards, cabinets, irrigation systems, electrical conduits and the list goes on. They chew stuff up and pee and poop on things. I cannot have those things be my things any longer.

I like dogs more than people but dogs don't like rental homes.

Same for cats...don't get any. None. Not even a “really really cute kitten”. No cats.

I'm so over the "just pet sitting thing" I made the following change to all new leases a few years ago based on a tip I got here:

My new pet clause in all my latest leases:

Mike CA,

I will allow pets at some places, but not everywhere. Here is mine:

12. PETS. No pet, bird, fish, or other animal of any kind, permanent or visiting, indoor or outdoor, shall be permitted on the premises without prior written consent of Landlord. Any such pet, if allowed, requires the payment of a non-refundable pet fee of $250.00 (this amount is not included in paragraph 4C above), plus an additional fee of $20.00 per pet per month. In no instance will more than two (2) pets be allowed. All pet(s) must be spayed or neutered. Authorized pet(s) must be listed on the Pet Addendum. By this listing, Tenant agrees to be liable fully for damages and injuries to property and/or people that might be caused by pet(s). Other restrictions may apply concerning breed size, and behavior. Certain breeds are strictly forbidden by Landlord's insurance company.

Tenant agrees that if said pet(s) should at any time become annoying, bothersome, or in any way a nuisance or danger to other animals or people, Tenant will, upon notice of Landlord or law enforcement agency, immediately remove said pets from the premises. Any unauthorized pets found on the premises will be considered a breach of this Agreement and will be removed by Landlord or animal control and all the above stated pet fees, retroactively to the date of the commencement of this Agreement, shall be paid immediately to Lessor. Only the pet(s) listed on the Pet Addendum is/are authorized on premises. Pet rent shall be considered additional rent and as such is subject to due dates and late fee policies as set forth in clauses 4 and 29.

Service Animal. A properly trained and documented service animal will not be restricted. Tenant must complete a Reasonable Accommodation Request form and present documentation verifying that the animal is a service animal for Tenant or other authorized occupant. A Pet Addendum will need to be completed, but no pet fee or additional rent will be required.

There [ ] is [ ] is not a Pet Addendum attached.

Mike,

I think you should run your business in a manner that's best for you.

For the sake of open discussion I think most folks here know I LOVE pets, make a LOT of money from them, and in the HUNDREDS of pets we have in our homes we have practically ZERO damage

BECAUSE...

We check the pet at the 2 Minute IN Home Visit. No gambling, no "fingers crossed". We KNOW.

And carpet free.

BRAD