Want to reduce risk? Here are some things to ask for prior to renting: 

Require a family meet & greet: Nothing will tell you more about a dog than meeting him. This gives you a chance to look for smart, polite, and quiet family dogs regardless of their breed or size.

• Resume: Ask for a dog resume to give you a snapshot of the dog’s behavior.
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• References  Ask for references from people who can attest to the dog’s good behavior. Great references include: dog trainer, veterinarian/technicians, past landlord, neighbors, groomer, daycare provider/walker, family members, and friends.
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• Veterinary records and proof of registration Veterinary records show that a person is a responsible dog owner.  Consistently up-to-date shots, spay/neuter, preventative health, and city license show investment and commitment to their dog and can give you a general idea of their responsibility level.

These tips are courtesy of My Pit Bull Is Family 

There’s a lot of misinformation out there regarding “pit bull” dogs. It makes sense that you would believe some of them, even if you love dogs labeled “pit bull.” But, they dogs are just like any other dog. And we know from scientific research that looks don’t dictate behavior and that all dogs are individuals. “Pit bull” dogs don’t bite differently, the don’t “attack” without warning, and they are not more likely to cause injury to humans or other dogs. Read more.

Ideally, we recommend finding a different insurance provider. You can find a list of ones without breed restrictions here. But, we understand that it’s not always that easy. Some landlords require their renters to carry a seperate insurance policy for their dog, but keep in mind that may limit your tenant pool.

Remember, Landlords are not held responsible for tenants’ dogs unless there is provable negligence on your part. 

If you aren’t able to switch to an insurance company that does not have breed bans, reach out to your insurance commissioner and let them know how these policies affect your business.  

According to a 2003 study, the most common concern among landlords who did not allow pets was the potential for property damage.

The same study suggests that many of these concerns are unfounded.  Analysts found no statistical differences in the amount of damage caused by tenants with pets versus those without pets. 

By contrast, tenants with children caused significantly more property damage than those without children. Although 14.8% of landlords who allowed pets did report an increase in the amount of time they spent on pet related issues, such as tenant conflicts or common area maintenance, they spent under one hour per year addressing these problems – less than they spent on child-related and other issues. The financial and time costs were relatively unsubstantial compared to other landlord concerns. 

The fact that many landlord concerns about pets are baseless suggests the financial and emotional strain these bans place on renters is unjustified.

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