Sit! Stay! Rent!

A pro-pets policy for rental housing nearly doubles the pool of potential tenants. Allowing renters to keep their furry friends also can lead to benefits beyond high occupancy. "Residents who care responsibly for their companion animals know how difficult pet-friendly rental housing is to find, so they will probably stay longer and be more conscientious of all housing rules and polices," says Nancy Peterson, an issues specialist with the The Humane Society of the United States. The HSUS is offering a new publication, "Profiting from Pets: A Guide for Rental Managers and Property Owners." The booklet gives property managers advice on drafting safe and effective pet policies, techniques on identifying responsible pet owners, and tips for promoting pet-friendly rental housing. Among the advice offered is the strong recommendation to meet the pet, as a well-groomed, well-behaved animal is one of the best signs of a responsible owner. For more information on the 85-cent booklet, visit RentWithPets.org or call 202/452-1100.

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