This national study was conducted to assess the impact of factors (rental rates, deposit, turnover, damage histories and rental trends) over the availability of companion animal-friendly rental housing in the United States. In sum, this study shows that offering companion animal-friendly housing is economically viable and could potentially increase rental profits.

According to Clifton (2–3), the number of companion animals euthanized at shelters each year is about 4.2 million. A major reason that animals are given up to shelters is for housing reasons (29% given up for housing reasons, according to Salman 1998). Moving is another primary reason for relinquishing companion animals. Per the American Veterinary Association, one half of all U.S. renters has a companion animal, and 35% of people without companion animals say they would have one if their rental units allowed it. Therefore, economic theory suggests that rental housing should be available for renters with animals if those renters are willing to pay a premium to cover extra costs of permitting animals in the rental units. Data collection for this survey began with a review of rental norms for companion animal-friendly and no-companions allowed rentals from the designated geographic regions. The second phase of data collection came from surveyed responses from random samples of landlords and tenants from the regions. Two versions of the questionnaire were given, one for landlords and one for tenants.

Availability of Companion Animal Friendly Housing According to the survey responses, about one-half of rental housing is companion animal-friendly, although most had limitations in effect.

• 9% allowed companion animals without restriction
• 52.6% allowed cats
• 11% allowed large dogs
• Large rental complexes more frequently allowed companion animals than smaller number rental places, although larger complexes were more likely to impose limitations
• 82% of tenants reported having trouble finding rental housing that would accept companion animals
• Of the tenants allowed to have companion animals in units, 47.4% did have companion animals

Companion Animal Deposits and Rent Differentials Most companion animal friendly housing facilities charged separate companion animal deposits, between 40-85% of rent, which varied by location. Also, the data indicates that higher rents are charged for the units allowing companion animals as well, with rent premiums somewhere between 20-30% higher than the average rent. Housing which allowed cats only was found to be somewhat lower than other places.

Length of Tenancy According to both tenant and landlord surveys, renters with companion animals were typically found to stay longer as well. This was not true for tenants who illegally kept companion animals.

Vacancy Rates Vacancy rates were typically lower for com-friendly rental units.

Landlord Concerns of Housing Companion Animals

• 64.7% were concerned about property damage
• 52.9% noise
• 41.2% tenant conflict/complaints
• 41.2% insurance
• 5.9% common areas left uncleaned

40% of landlords participating in survey prohibit companion animal and 37.1% had prior experience housing companion animals.

Screening Tools

• 18.5% of landlords require a companion animal agreement policy
• 11% required health certificate or spay/neuter
• 7.4% required companion animal resume
• 3.7% required companion animal references

In conclusion, this analysis implies that there is an overlooked opportunity for landlords to gain increased revenue and reduce vacancies by allowing companion animals.