Once you've bought your first Minneapolis investment property, you're all set to start earning a passive income, right? Not so fast.
Establishing rental property rules is one of the most important tasks associated with running a successful rental business. These guidelines set the tone for your relationship with your tenants and can affect your vacancy rates.
Deciding whether to allow animals to occupy your unit is one of the big decisions you'll face as a landlord. Nothing's stopping you from barring pets from your rental unit if you wish.
You might not have as much say regarding service and support animals. Read on to explore more about these assistance animals and why different rules apply to them.
Service Animals Defined
Service animals are not pets. They're highly trained working animals that assist people with disabilities with managing important daily tasks.
Some ways in which these animals assist their owners include:
- Recognizing common sounds for deaf people, e.g., a doorbell
- Helping blind people get around
- Fetching things for people in wheelchairs
- Sensing the onset of an epileptic fit and providing assistance
While dogs are by far the most common service animals, miniature horses may fulfill this role, too. Landlords may not discriminate against people with disabilities in any way, including preventing them from renting a home.
By law, you must make reasonable accommodations for these tenants by waiving your no-pet rules and pet deposit.
What Are Support Animals?
Like service animals, support animals play an important role in their owners' lives. They often have some training but aren't required to perform a specific task.
Many people with emotional, mental, and psychological difficulties enjoy the benefits of support animals. These creatures help alleviate anxiety, depression, and loneliness for their owners.
Emotional support animals can play an important role for those struggling with phobias, social anxiety, and other fears that prevent them from enjoying a normal life. Therapy animals usually perform more specific activities for people recovering from psychological trauma.
You must make the same exceptions for support animals and housing as you do for service animals. In Minnesota, landlords may deny the applicant's request for reasonable accommodation if the request causes an undue burden.
What About Pets?
Allowing pets in a rental property has undeniable benefits, but it also comes with risks. Most American families own pets, so you can severely limit your pool of tenants when you have a no-pet policy.
On the downside, allowing pets places you at risk of property damage caused by unruly or unsupervised animals. Hiring a property manager is one way to limit the risks of allowing pets in your rental property.
Managing Animals in Your Minnesota Rental Property
An experienced property manager helps you navigate the complexities of allowing service and support animals on your property. They can also help you enjoy the benefits of a pet-friendly property with minimal risk.
PMI Minneapolis-St. Paul is well-versed in every aspect of allowing animals in a rental property. We are a well-established local company backed by over 20 years of real estate experience.
Our services include everything you need to protect your investment, like property inspections and tenant screening. Discover answers for your property management problems today.
