Can Your Pet Policy Keep Your Property From Renting?

Many prospective residents in Lexington, KY begin their rental search online, using filters to narrow down properties based on price, location, bedrooms, amenities, and whether pets are permitted. When a property is advertised as strictly "No Pets," renters searching specifically for pet-friendly housing may never encounter that listing.

According to Zillow's 2025 Consumer Housing Trends Report:

59% of renter households have at least one pet.

65% of renters consider allowing pets essential when deciding where to live.

67% of recent renters consider pet acceptance essential.

69% of recent single-family home renters consider pet acceptance essential.

Additionally, Zillow's renter research found that 44% of renters have passed on a particular rental property because it prohibited pets. Perhaps even more compelling, a 2025 Zillow analysis of more than 11 million rental listings found that pet-friendly rentals were typically leased eight days faster than properties that did not allow pets. These statistics reflect national trends rather than Lexington-specific measurements, and they do not guarantee that allowing pets will reduce vacancy at every property. However, they demonstrate just how important pet policies have become in today's rental market.

Allowing Pets Doesn't Have to Mean Allowing Every Pet

We completely understand why some property owners prefer not to allow pets. Concerns about potential damage, additional cleaning, flooring, and general wear and tear are valid. However, pet acceptance doesn't necessarily have to be an all-or-nothing decision. Some owners may be comfortable allowing dogs but not cats. Others may prefer cats or smaller animals. Some may simply be willing to review requests individually before making a decision. Considering pets on a case-by-case basis can provide additional flexibility while allowing owners to maintain control over their property. Depending on the listing platform and how its pet fields are configured, advertising an approved, conditional pet policy may also help a property appear in searches that would otherwise exclude strict no-pets listings.

Home-Forward's Nonrefundable Pet Fee Policy

For approved household pets, Home-Forward has an established nonrefundable pet fee structure designed to provide property owners with additional financial protection. For example, a resident approved through Home Forward for two pets weighing over 50 pounds would generate $800 in additional funds for the property owner. While these fees do not guarantee against potential pet-related damage, they provide additional funds that may help offset cleaning, maintenance, or wear and tear. Pet acceptance can also be evaluated on a case-by-case basis, allowing owners to establish preferences and consider individual requests rather than adopting a blanket approval for all pets. These fees apply to approved household pets. Qualifying assistance animals are handled separately in accordance with applicable fair housing requirements.

The Financial Impact of Extended Vacancy

Vacancy is one of the most significant expenses a rental property owner can experience. Consider a property advertised at $1,500 per month.

7 days vacancy - $350 in lost income
14 days vacancy - $700 in lost income
21 days vacancy - $1,050 in lost income
30 days vacancy - $1,500 in lost income

If a more flexible pet policy helps attract a qualified resident sooner, the reduction in vacancy alone could represent meaningful savings.

Of course, every property is different, and allowing pets does not guarantee faster leasing. The goal is to evaluate whether expanding the potential renter pool could improve a property's overall performance.

Our Recommendation: Stay Informed, Stay Flexible

At Home Forward, our priority is to protect your Central Kentucky investment property while helping your property remain competitive. We are not suggesting that every owner must allow pets or that a pet-friendly policy is the right choice for every home. Instead, we encourage owners experiencing extended vacancy or limited showing activity to consider whether reviewing their existing pet restrictions could be worthwhile. Even a willingness to consider pets individually may create opportunities to reach prospective residents who would otherwise overlook the property.

The final decision regarding ordinary household pets remains yours. Our responsibility is to provide you with market information, professional guidance, and options that support your investment goals. As the rental market continues to change, we remain committed to evaluating new strategies, communicating market trends, and helping our owners make informed decisions.