Pet-Friendly Tips that are Sure to Wow Your Prospects
ButterflyMX
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Long gone are the days when allowing pets at your multifamily property could be considered an amenity– these days, your property is all but required by prospects to be pet-friendly.
Read on to learn more about the importance of being pet-friendly, what "pet-friendly" actually means to today's renters, and pet amenity examples that you can incorporate at your property today.
Five apartment pet policies to implement at your building
Accommodative housing for furry, four-legged roommates is becoming one of the most important factors for renters when looking for a new home. Yes, we’re talking about pets!
Pet ownership in multifamily properties has exponentially increased over the years. And by implementing clear and straightforward apartment pet policies, you’ll enhance your building’s resident experience and reduce turnover.
Pet policies outline the rules and regulations around pets for residents in their lease agreements. These policies protect the property, staff, and residents by clearly stating pet ownership and conduct expectations. While some properties can’t allow pets for specific reasons, pet-friendly buildings tend to attract more prospective renters.
Defining what ‘pet friendly’ means
“Ask almost anyone in rental housing if their community is pet friendly, and the answer is a resounding ‘yes.’ They’ll say, ‘Of course, we take pets,’ ‘we have a bark park and a dog-wash station,’ or ‘we love cats and dogs in our community.’
But there’s pet friendly, and there’s pet friendly (translation: pet inclusive)... While most rental housing operators do allow some pets—thus the de facto definition of a ‘pet-friendly community’ —there is clearly a significant disconnect between operators and pet-owning renters.”
Pet amenities every dog-friendly apartment should have
Owning a dog is a big responsibility but living in an apartment makes things more complicated. So, dog owners look for different amenities in an apartment.
This guide to pet amenities will walk you through the challenges of living in an apartment with a dog and how you can improve the resident experience for dog owners so that they sign and renew more leases at your property.
The state of pets in multifamily in 2023
“Internet, keyless entryways, and Bluetooth capabilities have a lot in common with pets. All were afterthoughts in the apartment world in decades past.
But just as most renters simply cannot live without digital connectivity, they have become more discerning about the potential comfort levels of their pets, as well. In 2023, merely allowing pets at a rental community no longer qualifies as ‘pet friendly.’
This has been a gradual trend, naturally, and not something that just sprouted up over the past few months. The response by apartment operators, however, has been mixed. Some are on the cutting edge and have adeptly met the morphing preferences and demands of pet owners, while others have been slow to adapt.”
Seven family friendly apartment amenities your building should provide
Kids love pets. Parents love pets. And kids are most likely ten times more destructive than a pet ever could be, so why not have an inclusive pet policy?
Raising children is expensive. So, meet parents halfway by getting rid of pet fees. Parents are more likely to get their kids a furry companion — that’ll keep them occupied and out of parents’ hair — if doing so didn’t include an extra financial burden.
In addition to attracting new residents to your pet-friendly property, current residents will be much happier with a more relaxed pet policy. 90.5 million families in the US own a pet. You could even go the extra mile and include various pet amenities within your building — though a generous outdoor space will suffice on its own!
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