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In the tree-lined neighborhoods ringing the Perimeter, pets are practically family members. More than 70 percent of Georgia households report at least one pet, according to the American Pet Products Association, and that share is even higher in the single-family communities stretching from Sandy Springs to Peachtree City.
For landlords, this tidal wave of tails represents both an opportunity and a challenge. Below, Platinum Property Management unpacks the benefits of renting to pet owners in suburban Atlanta, weighs the pros and cons of allowing pets in a rental property, and shares practical tactics for building a pet-friendly policy that protects everyone—two-legged and four-legged alike.
Allowing Pets: Why Suburban Atlanta Landlords Are Taking a Second Look
Vacancy is the silent killer of a rental business. Every week your home sits empty erodes annual returns. Allowing tenants to keep pets instantly taps into a larger tenant pool—sometimes double the size—because so many Atlanta families refuse to part with their beloved animal. The math is simple: the bigger the tenant pool, the faster you lease, the steadier your rental income, and the lower your tenant turnovers.
Pet-friendly rentals stand out on listing sites, too. When potential tenants filter for “pets allowed,” all the no-pet properties vanish, giving your listing premium placement without paying for extra advertising. In competitive suburbs like Johns Creek or Decatur, that visibility can shave weeks off marketing time.
Responsible Pet Owners, Responsible Tenants
Counter-intuitive but true: most pet owners who jump through the hoops of pet deposits, pet rent, and paperwork tend to be highly organized, responsible tenants. They:
Pay on time—late fees feel riskier when a family might face giving up their pet.
Stay longer—moving is hard enough; moving with litter boxes, chew toys, and crates is even harder.
Treat the home as their own—they need the yard mowed and the fence latched because their dog does too.
For property managers, that combination translates into lower delinquency and fewer maintenance calls about preventable issues.
Pet-Friendly Rentals & a Larger Tenant Pool
Let’s put real numbers on that bigger tenant pool. Search Zillow or Apartments.com on any given day in metro Atlanta:
Filter without “Pets allowed” → you might see 4,500 single-family homes.
Toggle Pets allowed → the list drops to roughly 2,200.
That means more than half of owners still exclude pets, while half of renters include one. By accepting pets, you instantly rise to the top of search results for thousands of potential tenants who are ready to pay application fees today.
Charging Pet Rent, Fees, and Deposits
Because pet-friendly properties are scarcer, landlords can:
Charge pet rent ($25–$65 per month per animal).
Add non-refundable pet fees ($200–$400 one-time).
Collect refundable pet deposits ($300–$500) to offset potential pet damage.
These line items collectively increase annual yields by 2–4 percent on average suburban Atlanta rental properties, creating a safety margin that covers occasional pet accidents or specialized professional cleaning.
Surprising Benefits of Pet-Friendly Rental Properties
Beyond fast leasing and extra income, allowing pets unlocks perks many landlords overlook:
On-site security – A barking dog discourages trespassers, package thieves, and even some wildlife.
Built-in lawn fertilization – Okay, this one’s tongue-in-cheek; you still have to manage pet waste, but lush backyards sometimes benefit from the added nitrogen.
Community vibe – Dog walkers chatting on sidewalks create a friendly neighborhood atmosphere—something that keeps other tenants happy and renewals high.
Positive online reviews – Pet owners rave about pet-friendly landlords on Google and Nextdoor, which drives up your reputation and fuels future applicant demand.
Cons of Allowing Pets (and How to Manage Them)
Even the best behaved pets can stumble. Knowing the downsides—and having a plan—keeps risk in check.
Pet-related damage, like scratched floors or chewed trim, can be minimized by collecting adequate pet deposits, conducting frequent inspections, and clearly outlining acceptable flooring materials in the lease agreement.
Pet urine and pet dander may lead to allergy complaints from future tenants. To manage this, require professional cleaning when tenants move out, consider installing hard-surface flooring, and use HEPA filters that are replaced between tenancies.
Dog bites or excessive barking can disturb neighbors or create liability issues. You can mitigate this by enforcing breed restrictions that comply with local laws, including quiet-hours clauses in your lease, and requiring renters' insurance with at least $100,000 in liability coverage for incidents like dog bites.
Pet waste left in yards is another common problem. You can address this by including a “scoop clause” in your pet policy that imposes fines for failure to clean up after pets. You might also consider offering a monthly lawn care service and rolling its cost into the rent.
Pet accidents on carpets, such as stains and odors, can be mitigated by specifying a carpet-cleaning surcharge in the move-out checklist. It’s also wise to install stain-resistant materials in high-traffic areas of the rental.
Require Renters Insurance
Most insurers now bundle pet liability into standard renters policies at little cost. Platinum Property Management requires every lease to require renters' insurance showing the property owner and management company as “additional insured.” Proof of coverage must list the tenant’s pet by name and breed, which keeps documentation tidy if something goes wrong.
Emotional Support Animals, Service Animals & Reasonable Accommodations
Federal and Georgia fair-housing laws draw a firm line between “pets” and emotional support animals (ESAs) or service animals. Landlords must provide reasonable accommodations for qualifying residents—even if you normally enforce breed restrictions or a no-pet rule.
Key points to remember:
ESAs are not subject to pet fees, pet rent, or pet deposits.
You can request reliable third-party verification (not internet certificates) when a disability is not obvious.
You may deny animals that pose a direct threat—but you need objective evidence, not just stereotypes about “certain pets.”
Your policy should spell out that well-behaved pets and ESAs alike must not cause property damage or disturb neighbors with excessive barking.
Platinum Property Management provides staff training on fair-housing compliance and maintains a documented ESA review workflow to protect owners from costly discrimination claims.
Building a Rock-Solid Pet Policy
A clear pet policy turns potential problems into predictable processes. Items your lease agreement should address include:
Limit on how many potential tenants can inhabit the property with pets (e.g., two animals, combined weight ≤ 100 lbs).
Breed restrictions aligned with your landlord's insurance.
Required vaccinations and local licensing.
Rules for patios, balconies, and shared yards (leashes, cleanup).
Frequency of landlord inspections—usually every six months.
Remedies when the pet behaves aggressively or repeatedly damages the home, up to lease termination.
Run the policy by qualified counsel and update it annually. Better yet, partner with professional property managers who refine these clauses every day.
Tenant Screening: Verifying Applicants’ Pet Ownership
Traditional tenant screening checks credit, criminal, and eviction history. When you screen tenants who keep pets, add:
Pet resumes—photos, vet references, obedience-class certificates.
Video calls—ask the applicant to introduce their pet on camera; you’ll spot anxiety or aggression quickly.
Previous landlord references—did pet accidents damage floors? Was there excessive barking?
Confirmation of pet behavior certifications—especially important for large animals.
Combined with the standard background check, these steps give owners the same confidence they feel with non-pet owners.
Frequent Inspections & Professional Cleaning
Even in a pet-friendly property, human nature drifts toward leniency. Schedule twice-yearly check-ups:
Evaluate hair buildup, door scratches, and yard waste.
Remind tenants of grooming and flea treatments.
Address minor issues before they become costly repairs.
At move-out, require professional cleaning, including enzymatic carpet treatment where pet urine might lurk. Document conditions with photos—this protects both the security deposit and goodwill with outgoing residents.
Platinum Property Management’s Pet-Friendly Playbook
Serving the entire metro since 2002, Platinum Property Management has developed a data-driven approach to pet-friendly rentals:
Detailed Pet Screening portal—Applicants upload vaccination records, pet photos, and personal references.
Tiered pet fees—Scaled by weight and risk, encouraging residents to adopt responsible pet ownership habits.
Add-on property inspections—Owners can opt for quarterly walk-throughs for a small fee, keeping small issues from snowballing.
Fresh-Start Cleaning Guarantee—Every property receives ozone treatment and deep cleaning at turnover, eliminating pet dander for the next resident.
The result? Higher occupancy, above-market rents, and happier residents who stick around.
Balancing Risk and Reward
Pet-friendly rentals in Atlanta: Are they a good idea? For most suburban landlords, the numbers—and wagging tails—say yes. The benefits of renting to tenants with pets include faster leasing, stronger tenant loyalty, and a noticeable boost to your bottom line through pet rent, pet fees, and reduced vacancy.
Yes, cons of allowing pets—from pet-related damage to neighbor disputes—exist. But a proactive pet policy, rigorous screening, mandatory renters insurance, and periodic inspections keep those risks manageable. With clear expectations and consistent enforcement, “pets allowed” shifts from headache to competitive advantage.
Thinking about adding pets into your rental portfolio? Want help drafting airtight lease agreements that cover everything from service animals to dog bites? Platinum Property Management is here to guide Atlanta landlords through each step, ensuring that both your investment and your tenants’ furry friends have a place to thrive. Contact us today!
