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I get the opportunity to talk to hundreds of Chicago investors a year and the question often comes up “Should I Accept Pets”... or the statement is made “I Don't Want Pets Because…” That is typically followed by some unfounded fear they have around horror stories they have heard.
We manage over thousands of units across the Chicago market. I’ve personally leased over 5,000 units, and in our 20+ years, we've handled more than 60,000 work orders (and most didn’t come in between 9am and 5pm). I’m also co-host of the Straight Up Chicago Investor Podcast, the #1 podcast for real estate investing in Chicago. There I, get to talk about real estate everyday to keep my thumb on the pulse of Chicago real estate.
Today, I want to talk about a topic that could make or break your leasing season. If you’re still selecting "No Pets" on your listings, it might be costing you time, money, and the quality tenants you're hoping for.
Below we will go through the pros and the cons of accepting pets in your marketing vs flat out saying NO.
Wait till you see the couple of case studies we took from real Chicago & Naperville investors we handle Property Management for. The numbers will shock you.
The Data Behind Pets in Rentals
Here’s what we see across our portfolio:
50% of renters already have a pet
18% of renters plan on getting a pet 18 months
That means a large majority of the rental market is either pet-owning or pet-intending.
So, when you check that "No Pets" box, you're a large percentage of your potential tenant pool from even seeing your listing on Zillow, Apartments.com, MLS, or wherever your property is marketed. And in leasing, exposure is everything.
Real Numbers: How "No Pets" Shrinks Your Market
Think of the search filters renters use:
Location
Rent range
Bedrooms
Pets allowed (Y/N)
If you say no (N) to pets, you’re immediately cut out of the majority of those filtered searches. Your listing won’t show up, no matter how great your photos are or how perfect your price is.
In our experience, the first 5–7 days on the market are the most crucial. That’s when serious renters are checking daily for new listings.
If your listing isn’t reaching them because of that "No Pets" filter? You’ve already lost them and they will end up viewing and renting something else in the meantime.
Common Landlord Fears About Pets
Here are the top objections I hear from landlords:
"I don’t want property damage."
"I had a friend who had a tenant with a dog who trashed the place."
"It’s just one more risk."
Fair. Pets can cause damage.
But in my experience? The risk of damage correlates more strongly with the quality of the tenant than with the pet itself.
Some may believe that a low-credit applicant with spotty income and two untrained dogs is a red flag.
Some may believe a high-credit applicant with a stable job, great landlord references, and a 6-year-old Yorkie? There are definitely two different levels of risk here.
Case Study: $10,000 Lost By Saying “No” to Pets
We listed a 2 bedroom / 2 bathroom condo in Edgewater with beautiful lake views. It had updated finishes. The owner said no to pets. We listed at a market-competitive rent.
Here’s what happened:
90 days on market
Multiple price drops
Eventually leased for $200 under market compared to other rentals in the same vicinity
Estimated loss:
$3,600 from rent reduction
$6,000 from extended vacancy
Total: $9,600+
That owner paid nearly $10K to avoid letting a tenant have a dog or cat. Even if that animal had damage for $1,000, they would have still been way ahead!
I love the quote “Don’t Step Over Dollars to Pick Up Pennies” which I have been accused of doing in the past and this is one of the scenarios all Chicago Landlords should measure their judgement against.
Modern Tools: Pet Screening Platforms
If you're worried about bad pet behavior, there's a solution: pet screening tools. At GC Realty & Development, we use Findigs and PetScreening.com, which provides:
A "FIDO score" (like a FICO score) from 1–5
Vet and vaccination records
Breed and age details
Photo verification
ESA and service animal validation (this is worth the practice in itself to rule out the scammers.)
This helps you evaluate the pet like you do the tenant. Investors can adjust their terms based on the FIDO score:
Low score? Higher pet rent.
High score? No issue.
You have options when it comes to pets and what pets you allow in your rental but at same time you have to treat each pet owner equally.
Profit Center: Pet Rent and Pet Fees
Pets don’t just come with risk—they may come with opportunity.
Many Chicago landlords in our network charge:
$25–$100/month in pet rent
$300–$500 non-refundable pet fee
Sometimes additional deposits (check local ordinance compliance)
One of our owners charges $200/month for pets on a $4,400/month rental—and tenants pay it. Why? Because that’s the only place they could find in their desired area that allowed their animal.
Flooring and Pet-Proofing Tips
Want to reduce the risk of pet damage?
Install vinyl plank flooring
Remove old carpet if it’s already near replacement age
Consider converting carpeted units after a pet lease
Vinyl plank is:
Scratch-resistant
Water-resistant
Easy to clean
Yes, there will be some wear and tear. But the average lease term for pet owners tends to be longer, especially in single-family homes.
What About Cats?
Cats come with their own set of concerns:
Litter box accidents
Odor issues
Scratching furniture or carpet
Again, this is where screening and good applicant selection matter. We’ve inherited a few rough cat situations, and in nearly every one, the human tenant was the bigger issue.
Hoarding? Check. Poor hygiene? Check. Communication issues? You bet.
When we approved qualified tenants with well-trained cats? Minimal issues.
How ESA and Service Animals Change the Rules
Important: You cannot charge fees for legitimate ESA or service animals.
Fake ESA letters are everywhere. That’s why platforms like Findigs and PetScreening help verify the documentation and even call the doctor to ensure it's legit.
We require every applicant—whether they claim ESA or not—to go through our pet screening process. That keeps us compliant and protected based on disclaimers they agree to and sign off on like our policy around getting a pet mid lease or what happens when a pet passes away?
This is a big “GOTCHA” I see Chicago Landlords fall into so having a professional Property Manager will help isolate the risk when it comes to ESA and Service animals.
What If I Still Don’t Feel Comfortable With Pets?
You have middle-ground options:
Accept cats only
Accept dogs under 25 lbs
Limit number of pets to 1 or 2
Use a "case-by-case" approval process but mark “Y” in your marketing
This opens the door to more showings, without obligating you to accept every applicant with a pet. In marketing platforms like Zillow or MLS, it still triggers the "Pets Allowed" filter—which is key for visibility.
Real Example: Naperville Home vs. Pet Policy
We had three similar single family homes in the suburbs go on the market all within 10 days of each other.
$4,300/mo (No Pets)
$4,400/mo (Pets Allowed)
$3,900/mo (Pets Allowed)
The one with no pets?
Just 5 showings in three weeks and had moved in within 60 days of going on the market
The others?
Over 17 showings in the first week and had moved in within 21 days of going on the market
Again, exposure wins. If they don’t see your listing, they won’t rent it.
Pets and Long-Term Tenancy
We’ve seen over and over that tenants with pets stay longer.
Why?
It’s hard to find another place that accepts their dog or cat
Moving is expensive (and stressful with animals)
They’re usually more emotionally invested in their current home
This reduces turnover, vacancy, and marketing costs—the real killers of rental ROI.
The Surprising Benefit of Cats: Pest Control
This sounds odd, but it’s real. Buildings with cats in the garden or apartment units have fewer pest issues.
Mice don’t go near them. Tenants don’t complain. Pest control calls drop.
Keep in mind animal waste can do the opposite by attracting mice and rats so if you allow dogs make sure you are strict on tenants picking up waste immediately after being created.
Yes, cat urine can be a nightmare if litter box habits are ignored. But again, screen the human just as much as the pet and your risk goes way down..
Final Thought: Control the Controllables
Allowing pets doesn’t mean surrendering control.
You can:
Use pet screening tools
Add rules in your lease
Monitor pet behavior
Enforce cleanliness
Protect your property with pet rent and deposits
The truth is, your best tenants often come with pets. And your best investment returns come from low vacancy, high satisfaction, and long-term occupancy.
Pets help all of those.
Takeaways for Chicago Landlords
Saying "No Pets" can reduce your traffic by 66%
Pet owners often stay longer, reducing turnover
Pet rent can boost your NOI by $600–$2,400/year
Screening tools help minimize risk
Don’t say no to 66% of the market because of one bad story
At the end of the day it is your property and you can do whatever you want or choose your path when it comes to pets.
Obviously you can see where I stand on this topic but at the same time there are scenarios where it just doesn't make sense.
Goes against Homeowners Association rules
You have some crazy expense of rare flooring
You have allergies and may want to move back in at some point
Roommate scenarios
Leasing by the room
At the end of the day you invested in real estate because you felt this was where your hard earned money can work the hardest for you. Accepting or not allowing pets is a decision in your real estate journey that can either make your money work harder for you by getting larger returns or help you sleep at night if you want to take the conservative route.
This is a lot of information you need to know if you plan to invest here in the Chicago market and it may seem overwhelming but real estate investing in Chicago is a team sport. Who is on your real estate investing team? Do you have a team? GC Realty & Development has a team of resources and we are willing to share all of our 20+ years of experience in both real estate investing and Property Management in the Chicago market. We will do this whether you hire us or not.
What gets me up in the morning and keeps me going 12+ hours a day of work is the ability to add value to Chicago real estate investors. If we connect you will here my say our goal of our company is to have value to have everyone we come in contact with and in return we hope one day you will hire us for our Tenant Placement or Property Management Services You can also refer us to someone you know that needs Tenant Placement or Property Management Services, or I will take a simple 5 Star Google review. We love the opportunity when we get all three from current and aspiring investors we get to help!
Reach out today!
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