The State of Pets in Rental Housing: Key Insights Every Property Manager Should Know

How are pets reshaping rental housing policies, amenities, and resident satisfaction? PetScreening’s report, The State of Pets in Rental Housing, sheds light on how the rental industry is adapting to a growing population of pet-owning residents — and the challenges that come with them.

Based on a comprehensive survey of 1,715 property managers and leasing professionals across single-family and multifamily sectors, the report captures a candid snapshot of pet-related trends in today’s rental market.

Pet-Friendly Rentals Drive Higher Resident Satisfaction

A standout insight from The State of Pets in Rental Housing Report is that pet-friendly rental properties are strongly linked to higher resident satisfaction. The data tells a compelling story:

• 60.7% of single-family property managers
• 46.5% of multifamily property professionals

…reported an increase in resident satisfaction when pets were allowed on-site.

This growing preference for pet-inclusive housing reflects a broader trend: today’s renters increasingly consider their pets as part of the family. As a result, pet policies are becoming a key differentiator in a competitive housing market.

Why Pet-Friendly Policies Matter

For property owners and managers, accommodating pets can:

• Boost lease renewal rates by creating a more welcoming living environment for pet owners
• Increase occupancy rates, as renters specifically search for pet-welcoming properties
• Enhance community atmosphere, especially when paired with pet amenities like dog parks or waste stations

By fostering a sense of inclusion for pet-owning residents, operators are seeing clear benefits — not just in satisfaction surveys, but also in retention, reputation, and rental revenue.

📈 Pro Tip for Operators: Consider revisiting outdated pet restrictions. PetScreening data suggests that thoughtful, updated policies can improve the overall resident experience without compromising property standards.

Top Challenges for Property Managers with Pets in Rentals

Allowing pets in rental properties offers exciting revenue growth opportunities for property managers, but it also introduces unique operational challenges that require careful management. As demand for pet-friendly rental housing surges, property operators must balance welcoming pet owners with protecting their properties and maintaining community standards.

To mitigate risks, many property managers adopt pet policies that include breed restrictions, weight limits, pet fees, and deposits. These policies aim to reduce the likelihood of property damage and neighborhood disturbances. However, as the rental market evolves, so too must these policies—shifting from rigid rules toward more flexible, data-driven approaches that address resident needs without compromising property integrity.

Unauthorized Pets: A Leading Concern

One of the most pressing challenges revealed by industry data is the prevalence of unauthorized pets in rental units. Unauthorized pets refer to animals residing in a property without the property operator’s approval or outside the terms outlined in the lease agreement.

• Property managers who do not use specialized pet screening tools report higher incidences of unauthorized pets.
• These pets often contribute to increased wear and tear, unreported damages, and strained resident relationships.
• Unauthorized pets also complicate fair housing compliance, especially when assistance animals or emotional support animals are involved.

Property Damage and Maintenance Costs

Pet-related damage remains a significant pain point, affecting flooring, walls, cabinetry, and landscaping. Damage caused by unauthorized or unvetted pets often goes unnoticed until costly repairs are needed, cutting into property managers’ margins.

The statistics show that only nine percent of pets caused damage and that the national average value of that damage is only $191.00.

The Importance of Proactive Pet Management Strategies

To address these challenges, property managers are increasingly turning to comprehensive pet screening platforms and software. These tools offer several benefits:

• Verification and approval processes that help prevent unauthorized pets before they move in.
• Centralized pet data management, including vaccination records, breed information, and owner contact details.
• Streamlined compliance checks to align with HUD/FHA guidelines on assistance animals.
• Tools to enforce pet policies fairly and consistently, reducing resident disputes and liability risks.

By adopting technology-driven strategies, property managers can safeguard their assets, reduce maintenance costs, and improve resident satisfaction—leading to longer leases and higher renewal rates.

Looking Ahead: Evolving Pet Policies for a Changing Market

The pet-friendly rental landscape is dynamic. As more renters seek homes where their pets are welcome, property managers must stay ahead by evolving pet policies that balance risk mitigation with inclusivity.

🐾 Pro Tip: Regularly review your pet policies and leverage data insights from resident behavior and pet screening platforms to fine-tune rules that work for your property and bottom line.

Breed Restrictions in Rental Housing: What Property Managers Need to Know

Breed restrictions have long been a controversial but common component of pet policies in rental housing. Many property managers include breed-specific limitations in their leases to reduce perceived liability and minimize the risk of pet-related incidents. However, our findings suggest it's time to reexamine those assumptions.

Most Commonly Restricted Dog Breeds

When it comes to breed-specific policies, the report found that:

• 94% of respondents restrict pit bulls and related breeds
• Other commonly restricted breeds include Rottweilers, Dobermans, and other large or historically stigmatized breeds

These restrictions are typically based on perceptions of aggression, property damage, or insurance limitations. However, the report revealed a key insight: there is no clear correlation between these restricted breeds and higher instances of property damage or onsite incidents.

Why This Matters for Property Managers

This disconnect raises important questions for property managers and operators:

• Are breed restrictions evidence-based, or are they based on outdated assumptions?
• Could overly strict policies limit your resident pool or create reputational risks?
• Are you potentially violating fair housing guidelines if breed restrictions intersect with disability-related accommodation requests?

With pet-friendly housing in high demand, more renters are seeking inclusive policies that focus on behavior rather than breed. And increasingly, insurance providers are becoming more flexible, with some no longer requiring breed bans as a condition of coverage.

Rethinking Pet Risk: Behavior Over Breed

Forward-thinking operators are beginning to move toward individualized pet screening, which evaluates pets based on temperament, behavior history, and owner responsibility—not just breed labels. This approach:\

• Reduces liability by screening all pets consistently
• Promotes fairness and avoids breed-related bias
• Helps build pet-inclusive communities that meet today’s renter expectations

💡 Pro Tip: Consider partnering with pet screening services that assess pets based on actual risk factors (e.g. bite history,  vaccination records) rather than breed alone.

While breed restrictions may feel like a protective measure, the data suggests they may not be as effective—or necessary—as once believed. Property managers should carefully evaluate whether their current pet policies are both legally compliant and competitively positioned in today’s rental market.

Pet Amenities That Add Value to Rental Properties

As pet ownership continues to rise, so does the demand for rental properties that cater to pet owners. Offering pet-friendly amenities is no longer just a nice-to-have — it’s a strategic advantage. Properties that provide thoughtful pet features are not only more appealing to modern renters but also see less wear and tear within units and common areas.

Among the most popular and impactful pet amenities in rental housing:

• Pet waste stations (59%) – These help keep common areas clean, reduce complaints, and promote responsible pet ownership. They’re also one of the most cost-effective amenities to install and maintain.
• Outdoor pet spaces (41%) – Whether it’s a fenced relief area or a designated walking trail, outdoor pet zones give residents a convenient and safe place to exercise their pets without damaging landscaped areas.
• Onsite dog parks (35%) – A major differentiator in competitive markets, dog parks foster community engagement among residents while providing dogs a safe space to play off-leash.

These features signal to potential renters that the property is truly pet-inclusive—not just pet-tolerant. They also reduce the likelihood of indoor accidents, excessive barking from under-stimulated pets, and damage to carpets or flooring from pets not getting adequate outdoor time.

Why Amenities Matter to Property Managers

For property managers and operators, investing in pet amenities brings measurable benefits:

• Increased leasing velocity – Pet owners often prioritize pet amenities in their housing searches and are more likely to sign leases quickly when they find them.
• Higher retention rates – Residents are more likely to renew leases if their pets’ needs are met on-site.
• Reduced property damage – By offering proper outlets for pet activity, properties experience less indoor destruction and fewer resident complaints.

📊 Pro Tip: Promote pet amenities in your listings and on your property website using high-quality images and descriptions. Terms like “pet-friendly apartment with dog park” and “rental with pet waste stations” are commonly searched by renters with pets.

PetScreening Platform Benefits: Increased Revenue & Compliance

For property managers seeking to streamline their pet policies, reduce legal risk, and maximize revenue, the PetScreening platform is proving to be a game-changer.

According to The State of Pets in Rental Housing Report, property operators using the PetScreening platform experienced two significant benefits:

• 22.2% increase in revenue
• Improved understanding of HUD/FHA assistance animal compliance

These figures highlight a growing need for technology-driven solutions that go beyond simply allowing pets—they help property teams manage them responsibly, fairly, and profitably.

“Pet policies have evolved significantly since the pandemic,” says PetScreening CEO John Bradford. “Forward-thinking operators are reaping the rewards.”

How the PetScreening Platform Boosts Revenue

PetScreening enables property managers to:

• Standardize pet policies across portfolios, reducing inconsistencies that can lead to revenue leakage or disputes.
• Charge appropriate pet fees and deposits based on individual risk assessments, ensuring properties are compensated for additional wear and tear.
• Prevent unauthorized pets, which are a leading cause of property damage and resident complaints.
• Capture pet data (e.g., breed, age, vaccination records) in a centralized system, helping managers make more informed leasing decisions.

These features allow property managers to confidently embrace pet inclusivity while maintaining control and generating new revenue streams.

Streamlining Compliance with Assistance Animal Regulations

Navigating the legal complexities of assistance animals—which are not considered pets and cannot be charged pet fees—is one of the most challenging areas for rental housing professionals. Missteps in handling reasonable accommodation requests can lead to fair housing violations and costly legal battles.

PetScreening helps protect properties by:

• Standardizing the review process for assistance animal requests in compliance with HUD and FHA guidelines
• Verifying documentation to prevent abuse of policies by residents attempting to misclassify pets as assistance animals
• Educating staff on federal fair housing laws, reducing exposure to legal liability

🛡️ Pro Tip for Property Managers: Misunderstanding assistance animal laws is one of the most common—and costly—mistakes in property management. Platforms like PetScreening not only reduce that risk but also build resident trust by promoting a transparent, fair review process.

As pet ownership continues to shape resident expectations, platforms like PetScreening are equipping property managers with the tools they need to stay compliant, maintain control, and drive profitability in today’s evolving rental market.

Get the Full Report: The State of Pets in Rental Housing

Looking to upgrade your pet policies and avoid common pitfalls?

👉 Download the full report here