How to Use Pet Screening to Boost Your Property Management Income

More than two-thirds of American households have one thing in common: they own at least one pet. And yet, many landlords still choose to restrict animals in their properties, with “no pets” rentals dominating the market. Even rental homes that do accept pets often restrict occupancy based on breed, age, and weight of the animal in question. Unfortunately, this creates headaches for tenants and property managers alike.

Ultimately, the decision of whether or not to accept pets inside a rental home comes down to the property’s owners and their preferences. It may surprise you to learn, however, that winning over investors often proves easier than anticipated.

If you’re looking for a way to streamline operations for your team, boost your monthly income, and eliminate obstacles in your leasing process, learn how to implement pet screening in your property management business.

1. Find the Right Pet Screening Tool

Pet screening tools are a game-changer for property managers. Managing pets in rental properties can prove overwhelming—how do you balance tenant satisfaction while minimizing risk? This is where pet screening tools come in, offering a streamlined, consistent solution that benefits everyone involved.

First, these tools provide comprehensive pet profiles. Property managers can assess each pet based on breed, size, vaccination records, behavior history, and more. This means you’re no longer relying on tenants’ word alone—you have verified information to make informed decisions. The result? Lower risk of property damage and fewer conflicts.

PetScreening is the industry’s leading tool for property managers looking to take the hassle out of PetScreening; check out DoorGrow’s President & CEO Jason Hull’s interview with John Bradford, the founder of PetScreening here!

Whether you choose to PetScreening or a different tool, the ultimate goal is to find a tool that will integrate with your existing property management software (Buildium, Appfolio, Propertyware, etc.). You’ll also want to connect the tool directly to your property management website. This ensures a seamless experience for your tenants and will eliminate extra work for tenants.

2. Revisit Your Pet Policies and Pricing

Most property managers choose to use tiered pet fees. Not all pets are the same, so why charge a flat fee? Using pet screening tools to assess risk factors will allow you to adjust pricing based on potential wear and tear on your property, making your fees more tailored and justified. Be sure to communicate this clearly to tenants, underlining that your fees are based on risk management, not just profit, to create trust and satisfaction.

Next, you’ll also want to consider a monthly pet rent in addition to a pet deposit. A deposit is a one-time, refundable fee to cover damages, but pet rent provides consistent, ongoing income. Most tenants expect to pay for the privilege of having a pet, so build this into your pricing strategy.

Finally, you’ll want to determine where monthly pet rent goes. Do you keep the proceeds fully? Do you split the profits with the landlord? Many property managers actually build pet rent disbursement into their property management pricing packages, splitting rent with clients on lower tiers and paying it fully to the investor on higher tiers. In this way, you can actually use pet rent to convince investors to opt for a higher level of monthly service, generating additional revenue for your business.

3. Build a Compelling Argument for Your Clients

After getting all of your ducks in a row, you’re ready to start talking to property owners.

There are several tools you can use to get your point across.

Firstly, clearly outline the significant number of renters who own pets.  If investors aren’t allowing pets, they’re excluding a huge market. That’s potential vacancy time they could avoid by simply saying “yes” to responsible pet owners. More tenants = fewer vacancies = higher ROI. This argument alone may be enough to convince them to rethink their stance.

If not, it’s time to talk numbers. When you allow pets, you can introduce pet deposits, pet rent, and pet fees. None of those are just minor boosts—they’re consistent, predictable income streams that go straight to the bottom line. This is when you can explain how you use pet screening tools to reduce the risks associated with having an animal in the home.

Finally, outline how pet-friendly rentals fare better than competing properties. In short, people with pets often stay longer because it’s hard to find pet-friendly rentals. Longer leases = fewer turnovers and less expense for the investor.

4. Educate Tenants on Your Policies

The final step in implementing a comprehensive pet screening process is to educate tenants about how it works.

Tenant confusion around pet policies causes problems and slows everything down—think longer leasing processes, more questions, and potential disputes. In this case, education is truly your best friend.

A clear, easy-to-understand pet policy will eliminate confusion and the endless back-and-forth. Use your website, rental listings, and welcome packets to clearly spell out your pet screening process and global policies; whether those include pet deposits, monthly pet rent, or breed restrictions, lay it all out there in simple terms.

But don’t stop at the basics—show your tenants the “why” behind your policies. Most people just see fees and rules, but if you explain how a pet screening process protects both the property and their neighbors, they’re more likely to respect it. Transparency builds trust.

Once tenants understand your pet policies upfront, everything else gets easier. It streamlines the entire leasing process because they already know the deal. You’ll also be reducing complaints and miscommunication, creating a smoother experience for everyone involved.

Need Help Going a Step Further?

Whether or not to accept pets is just one small part of the equation for property managers.

Looking to implement more effective pricing strategies, streamline operations, or resolve tenant conflicts more smoothly? Working with a property management coach can take the guesswork out of the equation and help you to reach your full earning potential.

At DoorGrow, we help property managers sort out all of the little details that make a big impact on their bottom line. From property management website and reputation management tools, to coaching, consulting, and operational systems, we’ve got you covered.

Schedule a free consultation today to learn how our team can help you reach your business goals.