Breed and weight restrictions could be deterring residents as the demand for pet-inclusive rental housing continues to rise, according to the Pets in Rental Housing 2025 Outlook report from the Michelson Found Animals’ Pet Inclusive Housing Initiative (PIHI).
Although pet-inclusive policies drive retention—with residents staying up to 21% longer—72% of renters cite difficulty in finding pet-friendly housing with only 8% of properties being free of restrictive pet policies, the report says.
Creating missed renter opportunities, 80% of properties that allow pets are still enforcing breed restrictions and 64% impose weight limits, but pet-related costs, including additional refundable pet deposits, monthly pet rent, and nonrefundable pet fees, top the list of barriers for renters.
“With two-thirds of U.S. households owning pets, the message is clear: ‘Pet-friendly’ is no longer enough,” says Ross Barker, director of the Pet Inclusive Housing Initiative at Michelson Found Animals Foundation. “Renters are demanding true inclusivity for their furry family members, and property owners who respond to this trend can expect stronger tenant loyalty, reduced vacancies, and a significant edge in the competitive rental market this year.”
While fewer than 11% of rental properties in major U.S. markets qualify as truly pet-inclusive, PIHI believes larger property management companies are set to lead the way in pet inclusivity. The report found that 90% of properties operated by the NMHC largest 50 managers are pet friendly, which is 14 more percentage points than smaller firms. However, smaller firms that are pet friendly are more pet inclusive with no breed or weight restrictions.
Because 92% of renters consider pets important members of the family, simple policy changes could result in positive results, PIHI points out. Easing restrictions could result in higher resident satisfaction and attract more renters. The trend toward pet-inclusivity could be a strategic move to maximize revenue growth, PIHI says.
PIHI’s Pet-Inclusive Scorecard gives housing providers a free, easy way to assess inclusivity and access resources for improvement.
