As a property owner, deciding what to allow or prohibit in your rental unit can significantly impact your bottom line. From pets to housing vouchers and more, these decisions shape the type of tenants your property attracts and, ultimately, how long your unit stays vacant. While restrictions might seem like a safeguard, they can limit your pool of potential renters and increase the time your property sits on the market.
Let’s explore the benefits of saying “yes.”
Should You Allow Pets?
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Pets are part of the family for many tenants and with a staggering 70% of US households owning a pet, you could be cutting out a significant portion of potential renters by not allowing pets in your unit. Allowing pets not only opens your property to a broader market, but it also fosters goodwill among tenants who are grateful for pet-friendly housing.
To provide an additional layer of protection, we utilize a 3rd party screening service for screening pets, called PetScreening.com. PetScreening evaluates pets on factors such as vaccination status, behavior history, and breed to give you more assurance and peace of mind. PetScreening will also screen based on our current restrictions which includes breed restrictions, weight limits, and number of pets allowed.
It’s important to note that there is a legal distinction between a pet and an emotional support animal (ESA). An ESA is not considered a pet under the law and, therefore, any pet restrictions would not apply. If a tenant is applying with an ESA, PetScreening will request the necessary legal documentation to ensure the ESA is valid and prescribed by a medical professional.
Of course, concerns about potential pet-related damage are valid. That’s where our Pet Damage Guarantee comes into play! With the Pet Damage Guarantee, we will cover damages caused by approved pets that exceed the tenant’s security deposit, up to $1,500. This policy offers peace of mind while keeping your property competitive.
Other changes that can be made to make the unit more pet-friendly and help minimize pet-associated turn costs include installing durable flooring like LVP and intentional landscaping.
Should You Allow Housing Vouchers?
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Housing vouchers, commonly referred to as Section 8, are often overlooked by property owners; however, accepting vouchers can offer benefits in terms of reducing vacancy times and securing reliable rental income.
One of the main advantages of housing vouchers is that a significant portion of the rent is paid directly by the voucher program. This ensures that you receive a steady and reliable income, reducing the risk of late or missed payments.
Another advantage is that tenants who use housing vouchers tend to stay in their homes longer, resulting in reduced turnover costs. According to a study by the Urban Institute, voucher recipients are 12% more likely to renew their leases compared to other tenants. This stability can save owners like you thousands of dollars annually in vacancy and turnover-related expenses.
There are many misconceptions about housing voucher programs and the tenants who utilize them. To address these, know that tenants who use housing vouchers are no more likely to cause property damage than other tenants. Additionally, we conduct bi-annual inspections to help check on the condition of the homes during lease terms to mitigate any risks with all tenants. Next, while voucher holders must meet voucher program requirements, we still perform a standard screening process, including credit checks, rental history verifications, and income verifications.
The Bottom Line
Allowing flexibility in your property doesn’t mean sacrificing control and safety of the unit; it means adapting to meet the needs of an evolving rental market. Whether it’s saying yes to pets, vouchers, or something else, each decision to say “yes” expands your potential tenant pool, reduces vacancies, and boosts your return on investment.
Contact us today if you have any questions about allowing pets or vouchers at your unit. We’re here to help you maximize your property’s potential.
Sergio joined United Properties in 2020. He is a graduate from Pickens Technical College as a Nurse Assistant and as a Small Animal Care Provider in 2010. In the past nine years, Sergio has had various jobs, all focused around customer service.
Eden joined United Properties in 2016. Eden graduated from Davenport University in 2015 with an Associate’s in Business Administration. She’s the Executive Assistant to the Owner of United Properties, with a focus on procedural documentation. She enjoys playing guitar, reading, and doing outdoor activities. Eden is trilingual and able to communicate in English, Spanish, and American Sign Language. 
David joined the United Properties team in 2019 as the Director of Client Relations and Business Development. In this capacity, he is responsible for leading all leasing, application underwriting, tenant relations, accounts receivable, process improvement, remote workers, and general office functionality (essentially anything outside of maintenance and service). David comes from a longstanding career at a Fortune 15 company primarily in a sales and customer service leadership role.
Matthew joined the United Properties in early 2020. He is a graduate of Lee University with a bachelor’s in Intercultural Studies and also a master’s in Discipleship and Christian Formation. Matthew serves as a project manager over the Rent Ready process. He has 20 years of construction experience and over 10 years of experience in leadership positions. He oversees a team of technicians and schedules outside vendors getting properties back to the United rent-ready standard so that they can be leased again.
Carla joined United Properties in late 2019 as a billing specialist. Carla ensures invoices are received from contractors and bills them out in a timely fashion.
Cristina joined United Properties as the Accounting and Billing Team Lead in October of 2020. She has experience as a technology professional, an English-Spanish translator, and has worked the past several years as the treasurer of her condominium.
Rick joined United Properties in 2020 as a Service Coordinator and then later transitioned to the Collections team, where his customer service shines. Rick has an extensive background in customer service and enjoys being able to resolve issues. He and his wife are raising their two kids and in his free time, Rick enjoys making his own homemade jerky.
Harriet joined United Properties as a Accounting & Billing Specialist in February of 2021. She has experience as a bookkeeper and a Property Manager for a Real Estate account. She was a working student during her college days. Harriet loves cleaning because she thinks it is therapeutic. She also loves watching series during her free time, and she’s a fur mom of one dog. Her inspiration to work every day is her family.
Diego has an extensive background in customer service and, most recently in Maintenance and
Paulina joined United in early 2021 as a Leasing Assistant. She has a background studying social work, with several years of experience in customer service. She speaks English and Spanish fluently and loves to learn. Paulina enjoys small road trips and cold, rainy weather. Her dog is her favorite thing in the world.
Jessica has a Bachelor’s Degree in Financial strategies and public accounting and is studying a masters in Blockchain and Fintech regulation. She has previous experience as a customer service representative. She speaks English and Spanish. She loves taking long walks with her three dogs, hiking and road tripping during the weekends.
Chris Good is new to the United Properties Team since June 2022 as a Business Development Manager. With years of experience in both the construction industry (Master Electrician) and the Real Estate industry (Broker), he will closely work with new and experienced investors to facilitate their real estate goals.
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