OurPetPolicy | Resources for Landlords & Property Managers

ESA VERIFICATION 101: Key Phrases and Red Flags Every PM Should Know

Webinars

A free one-hour webinar with OurPetPolicy co-founder Logan Miller covering what fraudulent ESA documentation actually looks like and how to recognize it before it moves through your workflow.

20 Reasons Communities Charge Pet Fees

Infographic

Pet fees and pet rent exist to help communities responsibly accommodate animals while keeping housing safe, clean, and fair for everyone.

A Letter From Your Pet: Why I’m Worth the Extra Love (and a Little Pet Fee)

Blog

Your pet has something to say. This fun, shareable letter breaks down exactly where pet fees go.

From Reactive to Proactive: The Operational Shift That Separates High-Performing Property Managers from Liability Targets

Blog

Here’s the uncomfortable truth from 10 of the most expensive property management lawsuits we’ve studied: not one of them resulted from a risk the operator didn’t know about.

Animal Incidents: The Only Lawsuit Risk on Both Expensive and Common Litigation Lists and Why Your Current System Probably Can’t Defend You

Blog

Animal incidents is the only category that appears on both most common and most expensive litigation lists.

The 10 Most Expensive Property Management Lawsuits And the Warning Signs That Were Ignored

Blog

Animal incidents are the ONLY lawsuit category that appears on both the most common AND most expensive litigation lists in property management. They are also the most preventable not through capital investment, but through a system.

The Definitive Guide to Pet Fees: 20 Reasons They Exist and Why Residents Should Support Them.

Blog

Property managers and residents agree: pet-friendly communities work best when everyone understands the why.

The Hidden Cost of Unverified ESAs: Why Pet Screening Pays for Itself

Blog

Unverified ESA claims cost multifamily communities tens of thousands in lost pet revenue annually. Learn why pet screening pays for itself and how to implement it compliantly.

How to Set Pet Fees That Are Fair, Competitive, and Profitable

Blog

Learn how to structure pet deposits, monthly pet rent, and one-time fees that are fair to residents, competitive in your market, and profitable for your portfolio.

Why Do Properties Charge Pet Rent? 20 Reasons That Benefit Everyone

Blog

Wondering why your apartment charges pet rent? Here are 20 real reasons pet fees exist and how they actually benefit pet owners, non-pet residents, and the entire community.

The Pet Revenue Gap: Why Most Property Management Companies Leave Up To $50K+ on the Table Annually

Blog

Across the property management industry, companies are silently losing pet revenue and they don't even realize it. The culprit isn't necessarily fraud, it's a combination of illegitimate assistance animal claims, inconsistent policy enforcement, and operational blind spots that add up to substantial losses.

OurPetPolicy Raises $8M Series A to Transform Pet and ESA Management Across America's 45 Million Rental Units

Press Release

OurPetPolicy, the rental housing industry’s first comprehensive platform for managing pets and addressing complicated emotional support animal (ESA) fraud schemes, today announced the close of its $8 million Series A funding round. The investment, led by RET Ventures with participation from StageDotO and Capital Eleven, will accelerate the company’s mission to bring enterprise-grade animal management infrastructure to property operators while solving the industry’s growing ESA fraud crisis.

The Role of Technology in Streamlining ESA Verification

Blog

When renters present a pet as a service animal, it’s important to take the request seriously and ensure that proper procedures are followed. This starts with verifying that the ESA claim is legitimate and the paperwork is valid. In recent years, technology has made it possible to streamline this process, helping ease the burden on property teams.

The Role of Pet Screening in Keeping Your Property Safe

Blog

Failure to properly screen and manage pets can lead to various issues, from property damage to increased liability that no one wants to deal with. The following information will help avoid these pitfalls and ultimately lead to better pet-friendly rental properties.

The Benefits of Going Digital: How a Pet Management Software Can Streamline Your Processes

Blog

Going digital is a big step, but pet management software offers enough benefits to be worth it. It improves efficiency, reduces paperwork, increases data accuracy, and creates a better resident experience. It can also provide a significant ROI in the long term.

Protecting Your Rental Property from Pet Damage

Blog

If you are allowing pets in your rentals or find that you are accommodating more ESAs and service animals, having the right measures in place to protect your rental property from pet damage and providing the right kind of solutions to your residents that recognize their needs only boosts your business and makes for a better place to live.

Prepare for Peak Rental Season With These Tips for Property Owners

Blog

Before you know it, you’ll be hosting back-to-back property tours and processing stacks of new resident applications. Now’s the time to get ahead of the game. By updating your policies, performing property maintenance, marketing to prospects the right way, and investing in the right screening and processing solutions, you’ll be ready to welcome new residents with open arms.

Pet Management in Properties: The Inside Scoop on ESAs

Blog

By verifying ESA letters, you can start to collect fees and deposits from renters who currently aren’t paying them, adding more revenue to your bottom line. And as any property manager knows, the presence of pets means damage to your property. Collecting deposits ensures that you can appropriately fund the costs of any pet-related damage in and around residences.

Pet Management Platforms Are Worth the Investment. Here’s Why.

Blog

With the growth of pet management platforms, managing pets on your property has never been easier. While these services come at a cost, they provide substantial value. By allowing you to track every animal on property and charge associated deposits and fees, these platforms help alleviate the stress and time involved in pet management while providing you with a positive return on your investment.

New Pet Training Tool Feature Added to Pet Management Platform

Blog

The addition of the Pet Owner Curriculum to OurPetPolicy enhances the platform’s focus on creating a place for property owners to better track and protect their rental properties from pet damage. This step provides additional resources for residents to help train their pets to not only limit damage, but also to provide a better experience for all residents in the property.

Multi Family Property sees 572% amount ROI in 3 months

Blog

The Landlord Tech program returned a 527% ROI in 90 days, and the program paid for itself in 30 days. The Properties have been able to reduce fraud, improve resident satisfaction, create a new revenue stream.

How to Increase Resident Applications at Your Rental Property

Blog

With property owners competing for quality res, it pays to invest in smart strategies to ensure you’re attracting not only a large pool of applicants but ones that will make great residents over the long-term. By ensuring that your property is well-maintained and has a clean, well-groomed exterior, potential residents will have peace of mind and will be more likely to consider the property over others.

How to Implement a Pet-Friendly Policy at Your Rental Property

Blog

Implementing a pet-friendly policy at your rental property can have a significant impact on resident retention rates and the long-term success of your business. As pet ownership continues to grow in the US, a pet-friendly policy can help attract a wider resident application pool and higher-quality residents who are more likely to stay for many years.

How to Ensure Fairness When Verifying Emotional Support Animals

Blog

The importance of following federal guidelines and ensuring fairness in the ESA verification process cannot be overstated. Ultimately, it’s up to property managers to implement approaches that allow for a more inclusive, transparent, and harmonious living environment for all residents while avoiding unnecessary legal complications.

How to Create Clear Guidelines for Pet Owners at Your Rental Property

Blog

Most property owners know that accommodating pet owners while maintaining a peaceful residential community can be a challenging balancing act. While it’s important to grant some independence to pet-owning residents, there is a fine line. Properties with clearly established and agreed-upon pet guidelines are not only better at making pet owners happy, but they’re also able to keep pet-related damage, hostility, and complaints under control.

How to Add Value to Your Property with Pet-Friendly Amenities

Blog

Pet-friendly amenities can increase the overall value of a property. Beyond the increase in rent prices, it can help a property stand out in a competitive marketplace, allowing you to find more potential property owners.

How Pet Management Software Boosts Your Bottom Line

Blog

If you’re exploring a pet-friendly policy or need a new solution to manage one, now’s the time to consider the benefits of pet management software. Although these programs are not free, the ROI is clear. Between streamlining paperwork, managing the collection of pet fees, and helping to convert ESAs into recognized pets, these programs can help you better manage your pet programs and boost your property’s bottom line.

Five Ways to Keep your Landscape Looking Great When You Have Pet-Owning Residents

Blog

Choose to keep your landscaping beautiful, make your expectations clear from the beginning. Take advantage of these tips to keep your property looking great and “show ready” for the next potential resident at any given time. For assistance mastering any and all parts of your pet policy to give you the best ROI, consider partnering with OurPetPolicy.

Five Ways You are Losing Money as a Property Owner

Blog

Whether you already have a well-structured pet policy in place at your property or are thinking about it, there are some important considerations to keep in mind to be sure you are maximizing income and staving off potential losses that can occur when animals are living in residences. Even if you don’t permit pets as a general rule, emotional support animals can still become a costly headache if not managed correctly.

Enhancing Apartment Living with Pet Screening: How OurPetPolicy Improves Resident Selection

Blog

Pet screening isn’t just a wise business decision; it’s a vital tool to help foster a safe and harmonious community for staff and residents alike. With the right solutions, property owners and property managers can now easily screen and verify animals before they set their paws on the property.

Emotional Support Animals, Service Animals, and Pets. What’s the Difference?

Blog

Over the years, these furry friends have transformed into more than just household pets, they have become an integral part of many people’s physical and mental health. Understanding the differences between an emotional support animal, a service animal, and a pet is essential to understanding how to properly accommodate, manage, and appreciate these animals and those who rely on them.

Considerations Residents Make When Choosing a Rental

Blog

Studies show 75% of renters own at least one pet, and pet owners rent for an average of 8 months longer than non-pet-owners. This means allowing pets to live at your rental property is one way you can attract and keep long-term residents. With that in mind, here are some specific policies and practices to consider if you want to take this step and allow pets at your rental property.

Boost Income and Cover Damage Expenses With a Pet Guarantee

Blog

Establishing a pet guarantee is a smart way for owners and property managers to take advantage of the benefits of allowing pets on property while also resting assured that any associated damage is paid for at no risk to the bottom line. Pet guarantees are best implemented alongside pet management solutions. This helps ensure that the program is managed successfully and that all pets on property are verified as well.

A Resident’s Guide to the Pet Screening Process

Blog

Understanding the pet screening process as a resident is vital for creating a harmonious living environment. As a prospective pet-owning resident, you will likely be asked to submit an application for your pet to live with you in a rental community. All the documentation requested and guidelines presented are there to protect both you and property management and ensure a content living environment for all residents.

5 Common Pet Management Challenges Faced by Property Managers (And How to Solve Them)

Blog

Allowing pets in rental properties can provide numerous benefits for both property managers and residents. For property managers, it can increase their pool of potential renters and help reduce vacancy rates. For residents, allowing pets can provide companionship, increase their sense of security, and improve their overall quality of life.

5 Best Practices to Properly Screen Pets for Apartments

Blog

Implementing a pet policy in a residential community is a balancing act that requires careful consideration of various factors such as breed restrictions, weight limits, and behavioral evaluations. While residents should be accommodated, safety and avoiding unnecessary risk should be a big part of the equation. Verifying ESA letters and using pet management software can streamline the screening process, ensure accuracy and consistency in pet management, and help with compliance and reporting.

Why Your Property Needs Pet Management Software: Benefits and ROI

Blog

The software can help you to save time and resources, generate additional revenue through pet services, and improve overall retention rates through clear communication and pet-friendly policies. Don’t forget that it can also help reduce liability from property damage or a dog attack. That’s why we encourage all property managers to consider getting pet management software to improve all their pet management processes and deliver a better experience to residents.

Why Pet Fees are an Essential Property Owner Strategy

Blog

Pet fees are a sensitive subject among both residents and property owners. Many renters feel that these fees are an unfair tax that they’re forced to pay for having furry family members. As a property owner, this may cause you to hesitate to include pet rent and fees in your pet policy.

ESA Laws in California: Everything a Property Manager Needs to Know

Blog

California is a vibrant state with a massive population and all kinds of people from various backgrounds. As a property manager, you will come across many ESA and service animal requests.

The Opportunity Cost of Not Verifying Resident ESA Letters

Blog

As a property manager, pet fees and deposits are the best way to protect your property from pet-related damages and unexpected costs. Unfortunately, pet owners have found a convenient loophole using Emotional Support Animal (ESA) letters to help them get out of paying any pet fees.

Renting to Pet Owners: Records Every Property Owner Should Keep

Blog

The presence of pets adds a layer of consideration as they coexist with other residents who may or may not have pets of their own. It’s best to arm yourself with information regarding your residents and their pets, so you can protect yourself from pet-related issues, check if a new resident is a good fit to the current dynamic, and keep everyone happy.

Property Owner Q&A: Should You Move to a Pet-Friendly Policy?

Blog

Some may ask, what is the point of having a pet-friendly policy? And, are there any downsides to transitioning to one? Let us help answer some of these common questions and discuss both the challenges and benefits that make it a decision worth considering.

ESA vs. Service Animal vs. Pet: Understanding the Differences

Blog

Understanding the differences between ESAs, service animals, and pets is crucial for creating a supportive and legally compliant living environment. Each type of animal plays a unique role in the lives of their owners, and it’s important for both property owners and residents to be aware of the distinctions.

Working with ESA Laws in Wisconsin

Blog

Wisconsin has around 785,000 rental households, which works out to 25% to 30% of the total population. When you have so many families and individuals renting homes and apartments, you will eventually come across emotional support animals.

Here's How an ESA HUD Sting Cost This Property Manager $80,000

Blog

As a property owner, you have a legal duty to understand the Fair Housing Act and its implications for assistance animals at your property. Not knowing this information can be costly. Here's how one property owner learned that the hard way.

Five Tips for Managing Pets on Your Rental Properties

Blog

Property management can be a challenging task, especially when it comes to dealing with pets. From enforcing pet policies to managing pet waste, there are a variety of issues that property managers must navigate.

The Property Owner’s Guide To Residents With Pets

Blog

Allowing pets can dramatically increase the number of people interested in your rental. On the other hand, pets can inflict some severe damage to your property. Ultimately, the choice is yours, and we hope that the following guide will help you make your decision.

Do Property Owners Have to Accept Emotional Support Animals?

Blog

In this guide, we'll unpack the legalities surrounding ESAs and Service Animals in rental properties, helping you understand when and how to accommodate these special companions within your residences.

How Emotional Support Animals Help Residents and Why They Matter

Blog

These animals offer comfort in distressing times and play a key role in improving the emotional well-being of their owners. In this article, we’ll explore how ESAs help residents and discuss the increasing problem of unreliable ESA claims, which jeopardize the legitimacy of true emotional support needs.

Breed Restrictions in Apartments

Blog

The debate over breed restrictions in rental properties has long divided communities and property managers alike. Breed restrictions are rules set by property ownerss or property management companies that prohibit the ownership of certain dog breeds within their properties.

A Property Owner's Guide to ESA Verification

Blog

Let’s review a guide to balancing the harmonious living environment your residents require and safeguarding your property from Fido’s activities.

Seven ESA Loopholes Commonly Used by Residents and How to Close Them

Blog

Residential pet owners can often find crafty ways to skirt around policies or stretch the rules of leases and pet agreements in order to avoid fees or bring more animals into their homes.

Pets That Cause the Most Property Damage

Blog

Allowing pets on a property can help increase the prospective resident pool and allow leasers to earn more revenue through pet fees. Understanding what to expect and what breeds are more likely to cause loss and destruction can help you prepare and set appropriate boundaries.

Can You Charge A Pet Deposit For Assistance Animals?

Blog

Assistance animals, including Emotional Support Animals (ESAs) and service animals, play crucial roles in the lives of many. Yet misunderstandings about their legal protections can lead to problematic situations.

Online Emotional Support Animal Letters & How to Spot Them

Blog

To officially recognize an animal as an ESA, the owner needs to obtain an ESA letter issued by a licensed mental health professional (LMHP).

Can You Have More Than One Emotional Support Animal?

Blog

Property owners and housing providers must consider requests for multiple ESAs if the resident provides proper documentation that each ESA supports them with a distinct need.

Pet Screening Checklist: Everything You Need to Ask Before Move-in

Blog

Are you curious about how to assess a pet's suitability for your rental? This guide will help you navigate the key aspects of your pet screening checklist so you can establish a friendly and well-organized living environment for both residents and their furry friends.

Is Third-Party ESA Verification Right for You?

Blog

You want to be supportive, but stories of "emotional support peacocks" make you wonder where to draw the line. Enter third-party ESA verification - a clear guide in the murky waters of property management.

Apartmentalize 2024

Blog

Come visit us at booth #965 and learn more about the leading animal management platform

Pet Policy Powerhouse: How a 1,967 Apartment Property Scored a 265% ROI with OurPetPolicy

Case Study

Pet Policy Powerhouse: How a 1,967 Apartment Property Scored a 265% ROI with OurPetPolicy

What Rights Do Property Owners Have With Emotional Support Animals?

Blog

Emotional Support Animals (ESAs) have become increasingly common in rental properties. ESAs differ from pets as they provide significant emotional support to their owners.

Emotional Support Animal Laws for Rentals

Blog

Emotional support animals (ESAs) play a crucial role in providing comfort and therapeutic benefits to individuals living with mental or emotional disabilities. These animals offer invaluable support to their owners, and laws exist to ensure that they are protected from discrimination in housing, travel, and other aspects of day-to-day life.

Resources

ESA VERIFICATION 101: Key Phrases and Red Flags Every PM Should Know

ESA VERIFICATION 101: Key Phrases and Red Flags Every PM Should Know

20 Reasons Communities Charge Pet Fees

A Letter From Your Pet: Why I’m Worth the Extra Love (and a Little Pet Fee)

From Reactive to Proactive: The Operational Shift That Separates High-Performing Property Managers from Liability Targets

Animal Incidents: The Only Lawsuit Risk on Both Expensive and Common Litigation Lists and Why Your Current System Probably Can’t Defend You

The 10 Most Expensive Property Management Lawsuits And the Warning Signs That Were Ignored

The Definitive Guide to Pet Fees: 20 Reasons They Exist and Why Residents Should Support Them.

The Hidden Cost of Unverified ESAs: Why Pet Screening Pays for Itself

How to Set Pet Fees That Are Fair, Competitive, and Profitable

Why Do Properties Charge Pet Rent? 20 Reasons That Benefit Everyone

The Pet Revenue Gap: Why Most Property Management Companies Leave Up To $50K+ on the Table Annually

OurPetPolicy Raises $8M Series A to Transform Pet and ESA Management Across America's 45 Million Rental Units

The Role of Technology in Streamlining ESA Verification

The Role of Pet Screening in Keeping Your Property Safe

The Benefits of Going Digital: How a Pet Management Software Can Streamline Your Processes

Protecting Your Rental Property from Pet Damage

Prepare for Peak Rental Season With These Tips for Property Owners

Pet Management in Properties: The Inside Scoop on ESAs

Pet Management Platforms Are Worth the Investment. Here’s Why.

New Pet Training Tool Feature Added to Pet Management Platform

Multi Family Property sees 572% amount ROI in 3 months

How to Increase Resident Applications at Your Rental Property

How to Implement a Pet-Friendly Policy at Your Rental Property

How to Ensure Fairness When Verifying Emotional Support Animals

How to Create Clear Guidelines for Pet Owners at Your Rental Property

How to Add Value to Your Property with Pet-Friendly Amenities

How Pet Management Software Boosts Your Bottom Line

Five Ways to Keep your Landscape Looking Great When You Have Pet-Owning Residents

Five Ways You are Losing Money as a Property Owner

Enhancing Apartment Living with Pet Screening: How OurPetPolicy Improves Resident Selection

Emotional Support Animals, Service Animals, and Pets. What’s the Difference?

Considerations Residents Make When Choosing a Rental

Boost Income and Cover Damage Expenses With a Pet Guarantee

A Resident’s Guide to the Pet Screening Process

5 Common Pet Management Challenges Faced by Property Managers (And How to Solve Them)

5 Best Practices to Properly Screen Pets for Apartments

Why Your Property Needs Pet Management Software: Benefits and ROI

Why Pet Fees are an Essential Property Owner Strategy

ESA Laws in California: Everything a Property Manager Needs to Know

The Opportunity Cost of Not Verifying Resident ESA Letters

Renting to Pet Owners: Records Every Property Owner Should Keep

Property Owner Q&A: Should You Move to a Pet-Friendly Policy?

ESA vs. Service Animal vs. Pet: Understanding the Differences

Working with ESA Laws in Wisconsin

Here's How an ESA HUD Sting Cost This Property Manager $80,000

Five Tips for Managing Pets on Your Rental Properties

The Property Owner’s Guide To Residents With Pets

Do Property Owners Have to Accept Emotional Support Animals?

How Emotional Support Animals Help Residents and Why They Matter

Breed Restrictions in Apartments

A Property Owner's Guide to ESA Verification

Seven ESA Loopholes Commonly Used by Residents and How to Close Them

Pets That Cause the Most Property Damage

Can You Charge A Pet Deposit For Assistance Animals?

Online Emotional Support Animal Letters & How to Spot Them

Can You Have More Than One Emotional Support Animal?

Pet Screening Checklist: Everything You Need to Ask Before Move-in

Is Third-Party ESA Verification Right for You?

Apartmentalize 2024

Pet Policy Powerhouse: How a 1,967 Apartment Property Scored a 265% ROI with OurPetPolicy

What Rights Do Property Owners Have With Emotional Support Animals?

Emotional Support Animal Laws for Rentals

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