Why Pet Screening is Always a Good Idea

Although some landlords legally forbid pets, more and more people are getting one. Which means there’s more demand for rental properties that accommodate pets, like dogs and other animals.

Being a landlord, you can offer your prospective tenants a pet-friendly property to capitalize off this demand. Allowing pets in your rental property can also help to reduce tenant turnover. This is because tenants who find a place to live that will accommodate their pet will be more likely to stay longer to provide them with stability.

In this article, we at Peak Residential will discuss what a proper pet screening process is, why landlords need to do it before allowing an animal into the property, and how they can go about performing a pet screening. We'll also provide some tips on what to keep in mind while going through the pet screening proccess.

What is Pet Screening?

The pet screening process is assessing an pets behaviour. It determines whether or not the pet would be the right fit for a particular home or living situation. This usually involves observing the pets behaviour in a variety of situations. For instance, their animals behaviour when meeting new people, left alone, or encountering other pets.

The pet screening process can also involve testing the pets reactions to different stimuli, such as loud noises or sudden movements. Pet screenings can help filter aggresive dog breeds. The goal of pet screening is to help landlords and property managers make informed decisions about which pets to allow in their rental properties.

Why is Pet Screening Important?

Pet screening is important because it helps landlords and property managers decide which pets to allow in their rental properties. Allowing only well-behaved pets into rental properties helps to protect the property from damage and noise complaints.

A pet screening can also help landlords avoid potential liability issues associated with renting to pet owners with aggressive or uncontrolled animals. Furthermore, landlords can maintain good relationships with neighbours.

How to Do a Pet Screening

Pet screening process is a comprehensive. landlords need to take a few steps to screen an applicant’s pet properly. These steps include requiring a pet screening application, conducting a pet interview, verifying veterinary references, and reviewing the pets rental history (if available). Consider the following during the pet screening process:

Pet Application

The first step in pet screening is to require a pet owners to conduct a pet screening application for their dogs, cats and any other pet. This should include questions about the animal's age, breed, weight, and whether it’s spayed or neutered. Requiring a tenant's pet application helps landlords gather important information about the pet that can be used to make a decision about whether or not it is a good fit for the rental property.

Pet Interview

The second step in the pet screening process is to conduct a pet interview. This gives the landlord an opportunity to meet the tenant and the animal to observe the pet's behavior in real time. Landlords should pay attention to whether the pet seems friendly and well-behaved.

small white dog on a laying down on a blue chair

You should also ask the owner about the animal's care and feeding habits. The goal of the pet interview is to help you determine if there would be any risks associated with allowing the pet at the rent unit.

Veterinary References

The third step is to verify veterinary references. You should contact the pet's current veterinarian to ask about the animal's health and vaccination history. You should also inquire about any previous incidents of aggression or biting. These references ensure that no health issues could pose a problem in the future. To verify veterinary references, you can contact the animal's previous veterinarian and ask for a reference letter.

Pet Rental History

The fourth step is to check the pet's rental history, if available. You can request references from previous landlords or property managers about the animal. The references could include valuable information such as wether a dog chews on the property or a cat scratches walls. These references can provide valuable insight into the pets behaviour in a rental setting, that a tenant may not be able to provide.

What are the Benefits of Pet Screenings?

Pet screenings offers a lot of benefits for landlords. With a simple pet screening process, you can offer pet-friendly property's to pet owners and get an edge in the market, . Further, landlords can also make sure that your prospective tenants pets aren’t responsible for creating a nuisance. Here are a few other benefits:

Reduces Chances of Aggressive Behaviour

Pet screening can help to reduce the chances of liability. If you allow a problem pet into your rental property, you could be held liable if the pet's behavior causes injuries to another person. By screening tenants pets ahead of time, landlords can identify potential pet liabilities and make sure that only well-behaved pets are allowed into their rentals.

Reduces Property Damage

The pet screening can help to reduce the chances of property damage. Animals can cause a lot of wear and tear on a rental property. But if the pet has a calm demeanour and is well-trained the risk of pet damages decreases.

Reduces Complaints from Neighbours

If you allow a noisy or disruptive animal into their rental property, neighbours will begin to complain. This can lead to tension between you and your tenants. Further, it will lead to bad publicity for the rental property. By implementing pet policies, and pet rent you can ensure a peaceful rental experience for everyone involved.

Bottom Line

The popularity of pets is growing every day. With it, people are looking for rental properties that can be a home to their pets too. Pet-friendly rental properties provide an additional source of income, as many landlords charge pet rent aswell as pet deposit or pet fees.

When searching for tenants, you should ensure that you are taking all the necessary steps to screen their pets. Pet screening helps identify any potential risks that the pet poses. It gives you an overall picture of the pet’s history, including vaccination records, animals behaviour, and any past incidents and should disclose certain dog breeds. These simple steps can make your property way more attractive and safe to prospective and existing tenants with an animal.

If you would like help managing your rental properties, turn to the experts at Peak Residential. Contact us today to learn about our pet screening services!

Service animals and emotional support animals are not subject to the same criteria.

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The Differences Between a Real Estate Agent, a Broker, and a Realtor

By Jessica Landingham • March 11, 2026

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