Should You Allow Pets in Your Rental? A Data-Driven Look at ROI for Houston Landlords
Joshua Staats • November 28, 2025
“Should I allow pets?”
Every Houston landlord asks it. But the data finally has an answer, and it may surprise you.
Here’s a look at ROI, risk, and what we’ve seen firsthand managing rentals across the Houston metro.
Every Houston landlord asks it. But the data finally has an answer, and it may surprise you.
Here’s a look at ROI, risk, and what we’ve seen firsthand managing rentals across the Houston metro.
📊 What the Numbers Say
Nationwide and Houston-specific rental data consistently shows:
- 🐾 Pet-Friendly Rentals Earn More
- 20–30% larger tenant pool
- Rent increases between $25–$75/month
- Faster leasing times
- Tenants stay 23% longer on average
More demand = less vacancy.
Less vacancy = stronger ROI.
🐶 Pet Owners = High Retention
Pet owners move less often because:
- Pet-friendly housing is harder to find
- They avoid new pet fees or new rules
- Pets are part of their family
Stable tenants = predictable cash flow.
💰 The Cost: What’s the Real Risk?
Here’s the part most landlords fear:
Damage.
The truth?
Damage from pets does happen, but data shows the average pet-related repair runs $150–$400, primarily from floors or yard wear.
Compare that to:
- One month of vacancy in Houston = $1,500–$3,000 lost
- Court/eviction risk for unauthorized pets = far higher
Allowing pets with proper structure beats restricting them.
PrimePointe’s Pet-Proof, ROI-Boosting Approach
This is where most landlords go wrong. They allow pets with no system.
Here’s the safer way:
🛡️ 1. Mandatory Third-Party Pet Screening
Verifies:
Vaccinations
Breed documentation
Pet history
Liability checks
💳 2. Monthly Pet Program (Not Just Deposits)
Monthly pet premiums distribute risk better than one-time deposits.
🔍 3. Semi-Annual Inspections
Before something gets costly, we’re inside the home checking.
🚫 4. No Sneaking Pets Allowed
Unauthorized pets create 10x the damage. With PrimePointe’s inspections and screening, we shut that down fast.
Should You Allow Pets?
If you’re looking at it as a business decision, not emotion, the answer is almost always:
👉 Yes… with the right system in place.
Houston renters love their pets.
Houston landlords love higher ROI.
PrimePointe gives you both without the risk.
How Houston nuisance enforcement leads to costly fines and how PrimePointe Property Management protects your rental from violations, complaints, and neighbor issues.
Celebrate Thanksgiving with PrimePointe Property Management as we honor our landlords, residents, and commitment to protection-first service all year long.
Learn what Texas landlords can and cannot say under Fair Housing laws. Protect your rental business from costly violations with clear guidance and real examples.
Learn why every Houston rental needs semi-annual property inspections. Avoid costly surprises like damage or pest infestations with proactive property checks.
Most landlords expect the basics, repairs, resident questions, maybe a late payment or two. But what catches most investors off guard isn’t the obvious stuff. It’s the hidden costs that stack up quietly and eat into your ROI if you’re not watching for them. Whether you manage your rental yourself or use a property management company, understanding these hidden expenses is one of the smartest things you can do for your portfolio. Here are the 5 biggest “silent killers” of cash flow most landlords never see coming… until they do. 1. Vacancy Is More Expensive Than Repairs A vacant property doesn’t just mean “no rent.” It means: Utilities on your dime Lawn/pool/yard upkeep Make-ready cleaning Potential vandalism or break-ins Insurance adjustments Even a 20–30 day vacancy can cost more than a new water heater. What helps: Plan for 1–2% annual turnover cost, invest in good residents, and treat renewals like an asset — not an afterthought. 2. Cheap Repairs Always Become Expensive Repairs That $185 handyman patch job feels good today… …until the same issue comes back three months later and costs $850. Cutting corners with: Roofing Plumbing HVAC Electrical Appliances …always costs more over the life of the property. What helps: Use licensed techs for all safety-related systems, and treat your home like what it is — a high-value asset, not a disposable product. 3. Deferred Maintenance Is the Silent Portfolio Killer Landlords rarely lose money from the repairs they do. They lose money from the repairs they avoid. For example: Air filters ignored → $6k AC replacement Small leak behind drywall → mold remediation Missing caulk → window/frame rot Old GFCIs → electrical failures Small things become big things when ignored. What helps: A structured preventative maintenance plan — annual HVAC service, gutters cleaned, plumbing checks, caulking, roof spot inspections, etc. 4. Fair Housing Mistakes Are CO$TLY Even unintentional violations can lead to: Fines Damages Legal fees Required training Forced policy changes And violations often happen during casual conversations like: “I’m looking for a tenant who fits the neighborhood.” or “I prefer a certain type of renter.” No malicious intent… just expensive consequences. What helps: Avoid subjective language. Stick to written criteria. Keep records of everything. 5. Vacancy Pricing Mistakes Most landlords guess rent based on: What the neighbor charges What they “think” it’s worth What Zillow says (not saying it… just side-eyeing it) What covers their mortgage But the market doesn’t care about any of that — and overpricing is the #1 cause of extended vacancy. What helps: Price based on real-time comps, not hope. A home listed $150 too high can sit for 40+ days… costing far more than the difference. Cash Flow Lives or Dies in the Margins You don’t need to be a full-time landlord to own rentals. But you do need to understand the forces working against your returns. Simple, proactive decisions: Keeping up with maintenance Pricing accurately Treating residents respectfully Documenting everything Partnering with qualified vendors …are what separate profitable portfolios from stressful ones. This isn’t about fear. It’s about being informed and being ahead of the curve.
Discover the top 5 preventative maintenance tasks landlords should prioritize to reduce repair costs, avoid emergencies, and protect rental property value.
Turn rental stress into strategy. Learn PrimePointe’s expert tips on screening, maintenance, and protection for Houston landlords.
Maximize ROI on your Houston rental with smart maintenance, quality tenants, and expert management from PrimePointe Property Management.
Discover why partnering with a professional property management team helps Houston landlords protect investments, boost returns, and save time.
Before leasing your Houston home, learn five essential tips every landlord should know—from pricing to tenant screening—to protect your investment.
