NO to potential tenants with PETS...

It's definitely a loss of potential market, and a decrease in potential rent as a result. That being said, for some owners the potential extra hassle outweighs the potential extra money.

It's a tradeoff, like anything else.

As a co-op board vice president, I can say our building is loaded with pets, and I have yet to hear a single complaint.

If you're worried about noise issues (dogs), you might want to consider a "cats only" policy.

The apartment I rent was listed as "no pets." I really wanted the apartment and chose to approach my landlord. I noted I had a mature, well-behaved Lab and we ultimately agreed to two-months security instead of one.

You might want to specify "pets on a case-by-case basis."

Now three out of the four apartments in my building have at least one dog.

I'm, of course, prejudiced. But I do think you limit yourself with a no-pets policy. You might also want to make clear in your lease that the pet must be well-behaved including language that the lease can be terminated early by you during the first year if there are problems.

We will be moving to NYC in June. We have a dog, and by a dog, I mean an animal that ways more than 15 lbs. We are also owners of rental properties, and we choose to have our rentals be "pet friendly" with a substantial non-refundable pet deposit. We feel it opens up more opportunity to have multiple people interested in our homes, an in this economy, (well, in this economy minus NYC) we're happy to keep/obtain quality tenants. I think there are two types of pet owners, those that consider their pets there family and those that do not. For example our pet is part of our family, and as such has had to learn certain rules, and has limitations put upon him, as do our children.

Perhaps not in NYC, but for the rest of the country it is hard to find quality tenants who truly value your property and will take care of it in a decent fashion, although they do not own it. I know for our upcoming move I have had the opportunity to email with some nice owners of various units and had the chance to be upfront with them about our dog, i.e. sending pictures of Trucker, so the owner can see the weight/size/breed of dog, and show him pictures of our dog interacting with other people and smaller animals as well. I feel luckily to have had a chance to converse with them about what my day to day routine will be, i.e. I won't be working during our 2yr stay in NYC, so our dog will have ample exercise and thus not be rambunctious and bothersome to other tenants.

Plus, as a dog owner it is MY RESPONSIBILTY to teach my dog, clean-up after my dog, etc. I think that is the biggest issue, people in general lack responsibility a/o owning up to their responsibilities, be it in regards to their pets or in life in general. Was it fun to take my dog to tons of training classes, hell no, but is it great that he is now even-keeled and well mannered animal, hell yes. Plus, he even knows his commands via hand signals, (okay, I'm a bit type A)

As far as owners of co-ops, I completely agree that if they're all on board with a no-pet policy so be it. They each put a lot of cash to be an owner and thus have that privilege to make those kind of decisions as a group, and if you don't like it, find a different co-op a/o apartment to purchase. I also feel for the allergic folks, so I think it is good to have some non-pet buildings.

My only issues is this, don't advertise to be pet friendly and then have a ton of restrictions. I think it would be best to always meet the dog/cat prior to allowing the lease to be signed.

Okay, that's my 2 cents worth, or better put my mini-novella!

Cheers,
Nell

Now, our only problem is, I'm looking too far in advance for NYC standards, and thus more than likely and hopefully for the nice owners I've talked to, their units will be rented prior to June. DARN!!!

"but for the rest of the country it is hard to find quality tenants who truly value your property and will take care of it in a decent fashion, although they do not own it."

That's because in New York City, there is a disproportionate percentage of middle class, upper middle class, and upper class residents who are renters.

At the risk of sounding elitist, but by and large, the higher up the socioeconomic scale you go, generally the more responsible the tenant.

Most everywhere else in America, renting is a "poor" thing.

By that, Matt means all household incomes greater than $23K.

Shut up, Alan.

Alan, is $23k the cutoff for your definition of the "criminal class"?

NYCMatt,
Unfortunately, I would have to say I agree with you. This is the first time we will be "renters", and so what I'm trying to convey to prospective landlords/owners is that we completely understand where they are coming from as we too are landlords, but unlike the average renter, we will treat their property as if it were our own, because, 1. It is simply the right thing to do, and we too are owners so we know the value of property.

I was really frustrated for a bit, as everyone kept telling me, "oh, you'll never find a place in Manhattan with a large dog." Not true, it won't be easy, and will take a bit of work on my end, but honestly aren't most things worth attaining some what difficult to achieve??

So, while I hope the nice owners I have chatted with rent this units up quickly as having to pay multiple mortgages is no fun, no matter how wealthy you are, selfishly I hope they stay on the market until June, as I know we'd make stellar tenants. ;)

why do you put renters in quotes?

It's the beginning of March now, nellm. You should be looking in late April/early May. Until then it won't be productive.

Fairway,

I know you are correct, but I have had fun, seeing what is out there, getting a better feel for various enclaves, and surprisingly a few of the places I've been looking at, have sat a bit. Now, granted most people may not prefer garden level/ 1st floor apartment/duplexes, but with having a dog, we think it is the best choice. Plus, having 2 nearly 10 yr old children, who are by far not rambunctious, but yet have never had to live in an apartment, we feel it would be better if we were under people than above people. Also, looking at places with a bit of open outdoor space is huge when your moving from 3800 sq ft and 3/4 of an acre to about 1000 sq ft.

I appreciate your tip, just the same.

Cheers,
Nell

Uh oh, putting "renters" in quotation marks has angered columbiacounty who will now be stalking you online and also watching you while in his shower with the window that has no window shade.