Doggie Interview
Posted on July 14, 2008 - Filed Under Housing |
The response for Project#2 Rental has been huge. Every phone call has turned into an appointment. The usual suspects: bedrooms are too small or the closets are big enough. Whatever.
One trait they all share: dogs.
It is ironic the one aspect of any yard, privacy via a fence, seems to be a beacon for any dog owner. My honest belief is when people are searching craigslist, they don’t search by location or price but with words such as “fence” or “yard”.
Project#1 had to suffer a rent reduction. On a whim, I increased the rent on Project#2. And it appears I’ll get it. Some people have already applied but they are bringing two medium size dogs. Super nice, gentile, don’t hurt anyone blah blah blah.
This is the first time I had ever heard the term “Dog Interview”. No big surprise, considering I don’t have a pet. But even after three years of playing Landlord roulette, I never heard this phrase before until this last weekend. A “doggie interview” is when potential tenants bring their pets over for the landlord to meet. Since I walked away without any gapping wounds or requiring rabbis shots, I thought the dogs were well behaved.
Now, dogs in an enclosed area destroy it. Let’s just face facts. They dig holes: not to bury bones, search for lost pirate treasure, or find a short cut to China. Holes are dug to find cool dirt, then lay in it. When that dirt warms up, they dig the hole deeper or find a new spot and dig again. August, which is quickly approaching, promises to bring enough thermal heat to make Chernobyl look like a campfire.
Because a second dog is going into the back yard, an increase in the security deposit was accepted. I felt this was necessary in the even they move out and the yard needed reconstructive surgery.
I can’t even begin to describe what a relief it will be to have Project#2 rented right away. The last house took too long to get rented. But getting this place rented will help keep my head afloat.
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4 Responses to “Doggie Interview”
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Boy oh boy… Do I agree with the dogs destroying a back yard…
When we purchased our home several years ago, the prior owner had 2 dogs. The back yard was essentially a race track of sand and scrub plants. There was an 8 inch X 2 foot trail carved into the yard from the deck, circling a huge boxwood monster bush and leading to the rest of the back yard.
Holes were also included, which were strategically placed under overhanging bushes and under the deck.
Of course, we had two dogs of our own which didn’t really make any difference about how the yard looked. Our dogs didn’t dig or eat plants… Until we adopted another one… (Not my idea…)
She, big black lab-like dog, likes to dig. So previously mentioned holes are now twice as big, with some new ones placed in rather poor locations.. (Like digging along the foundation of the house!)
Of course the little bit of landscaping that our older dogs totally ignored were decimated by the “black menace” (My pet name for the dog). We had two holly bushes that have been chewed down to stumps…
We are currently in the process of creating a dog run so we can have our yard back. Luckily I have a 9 year-old boy who doesn’t mind clearing out the landmines before we take the other kids to play in the back yard.
Congrats on the new tenants!!! Watch your step…
Being able to find a place that accepts pets is a big plus.
We have a small indoor dog and I know that would be our first priority if we had to rent.
We recently chose a certain bed and breakfast mainly because they accepted pets.
@Paty: That is definitely the trend. High-end doggie friendly hotels are popping up on the Travel Channel more and more. And people are willing to pay.
When accepting dogs, you should have a pet fee, not a pet deposit. I generally ask for $300 per pet.
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