Pets & Pet Approval 🐶🐱
We know pets are an important part of many households, and we're happy to welcome them in many of our homes! However, all pets must be approved and listed on the lease before being brought onto the property.
This includes not only permanent pets, but also visiting pets, pet sitting, short-term pets, or even fish tanks.
Yes, fish tanks count as pets! While the fish themselves aren't necessarily a concern, the water in a tank can cause significant property damage if the tank breaks, leaks, or is knocked over. For this reason, fish tanks must also be disclosed and approved.
To add a pet to your lease, tenants must:
- Submit a pet application through marchantpm.petscreening.com
- Receive written approval from the landlord
- Pay the applicable Pet Admin Fee and Monthly Pet Admin Fee
If you are considering adding a pet to your household, please contact our office first so we can walk you through the approval process.
Please do not assume that a pet is permitted simply because it is only visiting temporarily. If a pet, or evidence that a pet is living or staying at the property, is found and the animal has not been approved and added to the lease, hefty unauthorized pet fees of $500 or more may be assessed. It's always best to complete the approval process before bringing any animal onto the property.
Responsible Pet Ownership 🦴
For homes with approved pets, tenants are responsible for ensuring their pets are properly cared for and do not create disturbances or damage the property.
A few important reminders:
- Clean up pet waste immediately when outside or in shared areas.
- Keep dogs on a leash and under control when outdoors.
- Maintain a clean indoor environment, including litter boxes and pet areas.
- Ensure pets are well-groomed and free from fleas or parasites.
- Prevent pets from disturbing neighbors with excessive noise or behavior.
Being a responsible pet owner also means taking reasonable steps to protect the home from pet-related damage.
Pet Damage & Tenant Responsibility 🏠🐾
Pets are part of the family, but pet ownership also comes with responsibility for any damage an animal causes to the rental property. Tenants are responsible for pet-related damage beyond normal wear and tear.
Some of the most common pet-related issues we see include:
- Scratched or damaged doors and trim.
- Torn or damaged window and door screens.
- Chewed baseboards, doors, blinds, or other fixtures.
- Carpet or flooring damage from scratching, chewing, or repeated accidents.
- Urine stains or lingering pet odors.
- Damage to landscaping from digging, excessive pet waste, or pets damaging plants.
- Flea or pest infestations resulting from pets.
- Damage to fences or gates caused by pets.
Regular cleaning and addressing issues as they occur can help prevent small problems from becoming larger, and more expensive, ones.
If your pet causes damage, please let us know rather than waiting until move out. Addressing damage early can often help prevent further deterioration and may make repairs easier and less costly.
Pet Health & Local Requirements 🩺
To help keep both pets and the community safe, pets should receive regular veterinary care and appropriate vaccinations.
In South Carolina, dogs and cats are required to have current rabies vaccinations, and many local municipalities require pets to wear identification tags while outside the home.
Service and assistance animals are not considered pets, but tenants are still required to complete the appropriate documentation through PetScreening so we can ensure the property file is updated accordingly.
If you have questions about pet approval, adding a pet to your lease, or documentation for an assistance animal, please feel free to reach out to our office. We're happy to help guide you through the process.
