Arlene Mayfield

The American Pet Products Association indicates that 71% of U.S. households own a pet, while research by the Pew Research Center found that an overwhelming majority of pet owners, 97%, consider their pets part of the family to some extent. These trends have major implications for rental housing.

Pets not only are present in designated pet areas—they’ll also regularly traverse a property’s other outdoor spaces and common areas. Naturally, they also spend many hours within the apartment home in which they reside. More pet activity in those spaces creates more chances for damage.