Periodic Pet Letters to your Tenants

Remind pet owners of their responsibilities and help a void p et problems

When landlords allow pets , they usually require that tenants sign a copy of pet rules or a pet agreement. However, many of us don't always obey all the rules or keep every part of our agreements. Landlords will invariably have tenants who don't clean up after their pets, who let their pets walk around outside without a leash, or who have pets that create noise disturbances.

There are many different ways landlords try to get people to comply with pet rules or agreement s. One effective strategy is to send a letter periodically reminding everyone of the importance of complying with  pet rules or agreement s and point out how noncompliance disturbs neighbors and increases maintenance costs.

Benefits of Letter

Sending a letter reminds pet owners of the responsibilities they accepted under the pet rules or agreement and how their noncompliance causes problems for everyone . Informing tenants of the problems they may be causing will usually motivate them to change their behavior. In fact, don't be surprised if a letter leads a tenant to apologize for violations of the pet agreement and their promise to comply with the agreement in the future.

Sending a letter to reminding residents with pets of their responsibilities also sends a message to their neighbors without pets that management is trying to make sure tenants with pets are following the rules.

The letter should be friendly and sympathetic in tone, not confrontational. The letter should let tenants know that management values both them and their pets, but that everyone is expected to comply with the rules or agreement they signed.

Here is an example of a letter that can be sent periodically. It encourages all residents to report violations of pet rules. It reminds residents with pets of their responsibilities under the pet rules or agreement.

Property Management

Dear Resident:

The management of your rental property appreciates all of its tenants, including those with pets. We believe that allowing people to live with their pets enriches their lives.

While we encourage you to enjoy your pets, we also want to ensure that you do not do so at the expense of your neighbors. That is why we feel it is necessary to occasionally send a reminder that pet owners are required to adhere to the rules set out in the pet agreement they signed.

Our rules include: requiring tenants to pick up and dispose of pet waste, to keep their pets on leashes when outside, and to keep pet noise levels to a minimum. Failure to dispose of pet waste creates an unclean and unhealthy environment for everyone, particularly small children. It forces our staff or your neighbors to clean up after you. Pets that are off a leash can be threatening to others, particularly small children, and can run off, causing damage to the neighborhood. Excessive barking or howling by dogs and screeching by birds disrupts everyone within hearing, particularly those who are elderly or sick or who have small sleeping children.

We know that the the majority of pet owners act responsibly most of the time. But, if you, or anyone you see is violating the rules, please help us enforce them. Call us to report any violations or to ask any questions.

Thank you for your cooperation.

Management