Should You Allow Pets in Your Rental? The Pros, Cons, and Risk Management Tips
Jul 11th, 2025
For landlords in Edmonton and Calgary, one of the most common questions is: Should I allow pets in my rental property? While some landlords see pets as a risk, others recognize them as a powerful tenant attraction tool. The key is balancing opportunity with risk management.
At Davies Property Management, we help landlords make the right call with professional tenant screening, in-house maintenance, and full-service management that keeps rental properties protected.
1. The Benefits of Allowing Pets
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Larger tenant pool: Many families and professionals own pets. By banning them, you reduce your rental audience.
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Reduced vacancy: Pet-friendly rentals tend to fill faster, especially in competitive markets like Calgary.
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Longer tenancy: Tenants with pets often stay longer, since finding pet-friendly housing is harder.
2. The Risks of Allowing Pets
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Property damage: Scratches, stains, and wear on flooring or trim.
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Noise complaints: Barking dogs or disruptive animals.
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Allergies for future tenants: Extra cleaning required at turnover.
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Liability concerns: Risk of bites or injuries.
3. Risk Management Strategies for Landlords
If you allow pets, protect your property with:
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Pet clauses in the lease: Outlining size, number, and type of pets allowed.
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Pet deposits or fees: Legal in Alberta when collected as part of the security deposit.
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Routine inspections: Catch issues early before damage escalates.
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Tenant screening: Evaluating pet ownership history alongside credit and income.
Davies advantage: Our tenant screening in Edmonton and Calgary includes pet assessments and proper lease structuring.
4. Alternatives to a Blanket Policy
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Case-by-case approval: Review pet details individually.
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Limitations: Restrict by size, breed, or number of pets.
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Service animals: Remember — landlords must accommodate them under Alberta law.
5. How Davies Protects Landlords with Pet-Friendly Rentals
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Legally compliant leases with clear pet policies.
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Regular inspections to monitor property condition.
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In-house maintenance teams for fast repairs.
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Owner portal for full transparency on pet-related fees and inspections.
With Davies Property Management Edmonton and Calgary, landlords can:
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Expand their tenant pool with pet-friendly rentals.
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Protect properties with strong lease enforcement.
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Minimize risk through inspections and in-house maintenance.
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Stay legally compliant while maximizing ROI.
Allowing pets in your rental doesn’t have to mean taking on unnecessary risk. With the right policies and professional management, pets can help fill your property faster and keep quality tenants longer.
With Davies Property Management Edmonton and Calgary, landlords enjoy the benefits of pet-friendly rentals while protecting their investments.
📞 Considering allowing pets in your rental? Contact Davies today to learn how we help landlords manage pet-related risks.