I foster both kittens/cats and now puppies. Pups can do a heck of a lot more damage than $75 worth in a month! While we might allow dogs (depending on number and breed) experience has taught us not to allow puppies (one chewed porch swing, two chewed plugs off window units, a hole in drywall, etc. etc..)

NE, we just got a puppy. We give it a ton of attention, yet after 2 weeks, it averages 4-6 accidents a day and goes to the bathroom maybe 20 times a day. I don't think a premium for a well tended to animal that will have 100 accidents in a month is unreasonable.

Glad it works for you. I'm pretty mercenary about money (make that VERY), but even I wouldn't do that. Doesn't make it right or wrong, though.

I have no doubt that I will be the only one here who takes exception to these kind of charges.

Shelters are filled with dogs, and when someone rescues one they get hit with extra charges, which are then bragged about on a landlording site. Leaves me with that bad taste.

Jeff, back off! You go after your tenants for every possible violation! I forbade puppies, tenant got one, he ASKED to pay $250 a month extra as that was what the NEXT place was going to charge him and he liked my place better. I said okay. BECAUSE last tenant's puppy cost us $3k. $250/month = $3k.

Gail K, I'm sure they are capable of more that $75 in damage. That's what damage deposits are for. The $75 is income.

WMH, I'm not backing off. I stated that as my opinion and I stand behind it 100%. If people disagree, as predicted, that's fine with me.

To anyone else who stumbles on this post and has any interest in the puppy premium, I want to clarify that my "haha" in the title is NOT bragging. It is simply due to the fact that IT WORKED and I was surprised that it worked.

There is certainly no "one size fits all" play book for us landlords to use. It is not that easy. You have to be willing to try different things. Landlords already have a bad name, so don't try to change the status quo. Who cares.

Some things will sound crazy to you, but some will make sense. You just have to try them. This puppy premium made sense to me and fit nicely on the page of my pet policy. It just happened to work.

There are all sorts of fees in all sorts of different businesses. Look at your phone bill or your internet bill. It's really no different.

After a month, the rent will change from $700 to $775 on a little podunk 2 bedroom house and they'll forget about the increase because they'll become used to it. Just like we all do when the gas prices rise. Some complain, some don't, but we all pay it.

I've tried different things that I have received push back on and stopped doing them, but I still tried it. Don't be afraid. You won't know until you try it.

Once you have it all figured out and have all the answers to these types of things, you stop growing. Plain and simple.

Tenants with pets appear to be resigned to pet rent. I know this because applicants often ask me how much the pet rent and pet deposit are. They are amazed and delighted that there is no pet rent or pet deposit ( I've got them built into the regular rent and deposit)

If NE literally means a puppy, a baby dog, instead of being cute about naming a dog deposit, I don't think it is a good idea.

Puppies can do a lot of expensive damage. Even very well cared for puppies can cause a lot of expensive damage.

Puppies can be horrible. Mine literally chewed the WALLS, not to mention the piano, bedpost and the side of the garage.

I don't see any problem with a 'Puppy Premium' myself.

If a tenant wants a pet and is responsible enough to own one, they'll certainly understand that involves sacrifices in exchange for damage risk, and probably happily pay considering many places won't allow one at all.

Also they know it will be reduced later and it might even encourage them to stay longer.

Just my observation...

As long as the tenant doesn't say: "Snack away at that wall and $700.00 carpet all you like, Gnawsy.... that's what the Puppy Premium is for..." lol

My guess is your puppy premium is not enough. I’m seriously considering adding one of $250 per month.

Nice work, NE.

Charge what the market will bear. The market always has the option to tell you "no thanks" and go somewhere else. Business 101. These tenants are not ignorant; they are thinking humans with money to spend as they choose. Some of them are paying $100/month to play Candy Crush and watch NetFlix on a $1000 iPhone. Is Apple, Inc. doing something wrong?

Around here, the big boy complexes charge $350 up front and $35 per month. I charge $150 and $15. Are they evil? Am I good? Naive? Kind-hearted? Foolish?

Some land lords don't allow animals: period. Is that okay?

I think land lords get a bad reputation when they fail to live up to the terms of the lease. NE has set the terms of the lease and so far he is upholding his end of the bargain.

Different areas, different people, different things work. Glad this worked for you. I do accept certain dogs and cats, but not puppies and kittens. I want a pet that someone has had for a while. A family member. I do not advertise that I accept animals, but I don't say I won't. It is negotiable for me.

I ended up with the Puppy Premium because I had JUST had a new tenant - with an approved dog - get a brand-new puppy by lying to the shelter, and us, etc. They left when I told them GET RID OF THAT PUPPY and we got a better tenant...

Then a month later a new tenant got a new puppy and I just lost it. WHAT? WHAT? What part of NO PETS (in his particular lease) did you not understand? He didn't have a dog when he moved in!

NE,do I have to tell you everything.Charging $75.00 is like tipping a good waiter or waitress a dollar when you know you should have tipped a lot more .I don't allow animals,even though we had three Samoyed's for years,they owned the house but never did any damage once they got older,like Vee said they did play hell on shoes when younger,not both shoes,just one shoe and new one at that,never touched old shoes.was against their religion,if they had any....