Interesting Facts

SCREENING PETS AND SUPPORT ANIMALS

We are here to share the knowledge in the industry of things we see everyday and it should be looked out.

• When an applicant was required to complete the Emotional Support Animal screening process 43% started the process and decided to withdraw the request. (They changed their claim that the animal was an ESA to a pet)
• 38% of the individuals that claimed to have an ESA truly had an ESA, after a legal review.
• 19% of individuals that claimed to have an ESA provided insufficient information or were determined to have submitted a fraudulent request.

TOP REASON FRAUDULENT ACTIVITY UNCOVERED BY LEGAL REVIEW

• Fake letterheads
• Altered dates
• Forged Signatures
• Fabricated medical notes
• Cut and pasted names

TYPES OF ACCOMMODATION REQUEST BY ANIMAL

• 84% Dogs
• 15% Cats
• 1% Other (Rat, Pig, Guinea Pigs, Rabbits, Ball Python Snakes, Bearded Dragon Lizards)

TOP BREEDS FOR ACCOMMODATION REQUESTS

• Pitbull
• Labrador Retriever
• German Shepherd
• Chihuahua
• Boxer

PETS

The average resident with a small pet will stay 3 years compared to 2 years with no pet

NOTEWORTHY ASIDES

• 4 of the top 5 assistance animal dog breeds are over 40 lbs
• 2 of the top 5 assistance animal dog breeds are usually listed on the restricted breed list for household pets

RESIDENT RETENTION

• 46% of residents say maintenance was a factor in renewing a lease
• 31% of residents say that poor maintenance was a factor in not renewing

MARKETING

• 90% of renters begin their home search on the internet. A video tour is comparable to holding an open house 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
• Listings that include a video get 400% more inquiries than listings without.
• A recent study found that 78% of prospective residents said the property management company’s online reviews were the biggest factor in choosing where to live. For millennial's in the study, it was even higher, at 86%.

FACT

1 out of 5 complaints to the Texas Real Estate Commission are property management related.

10 MOST COMMON LAWSUITS AGAINST LANDLORDS

• Improper denying of applicant
• Improper handling of service/comfort animal
• Improper handling of smoke and CO alarms (Must Include Addendum)
• Improper handling of bedbugs (must include addendum)
• Improper handling of mold issues (must include addendum)
• Improper handling of maintenance
• Improper entry of home
• Improper move-out procedure
• Improper deposit return

DIY Landlord Resources

INTERESTING STATS

• Pets

  Recent survey stated indicated 73% of all renters are pet owners. The average resident with a small pet will stay 3 years compared to 2 years with no pet.

• ESA and Accommodation Request – Fake or Legit?

  • When an applicant was required to complete the Emotional Support Animal screening process 43% started the process and decided to withdraw the request. (They changed their claim that the animal was an ESA to a pet)
  • 38% of the individuals that claimed to have an ESA truly had an ESA, after a legal review.
  • 19% of individuals that claimed to have an ESA provided insufficient information or were determined to have submitted a fraudulent request.

• The five categories of potential ESA fraud.

  • Fake letterheads
  • Altered dates
  • Forged Signatures
  • Fabricated medical notes
  • Cut and pasted names

• Types of Accomodation Request by Animal

  • 84% Dogs
  • 15% Cats
  • 1% Other (Rat, Pig, Guinea Pigs, Rabbits, Ball Python Snakes, Bearded Dragon Lizards)

• Guess the Size of an average assistance animal

  • 4 of the top 5 assistance animal dog breeds are over 40 lbs.
  • 2 of the top 5 assistance animal dog breeds are usually listed on the restricted breed list for household pets

• 1 out of 5

  1 out of 5 complaints to the Texas Real Estate Commission are property management related.

• Top 9 LAWSUITS AGAINST LANDLORDS

  1. Improper denying of applicant
  2. Improper handling of service/comfort animal
  3. Improper handling of smoke and CO alarms (Must Include Addendum)
  4. Improper handling of bedbugs (must include addendum)
  5. Improper handling of mold issues (must include addendum)
  6. Improper handling of maintenance
  7. Improper entry of home
  8. Improper move-out procedure
  9. Improper deposit return

• Will they stay or go? Resident Retention

  • 46% of residents say maintenance was a factor in renewing a lease
  • 31% of residents say that poor maintenance was a factor in not renewing

• 10 most common property maintenance issues.

  1. Heating and Air conditioning (14.2% of all reported issues)
  2. Doors (11.7%)
  3. Toilets (8.3%)
  4. Sinks (5.0%).
  5. Bathtubs (3.9%)
  6. Drains (3.6%)
  7. Refrigerators (2.7%)
  8. Lights (2.7%)
  9. Showers (2.7%)
  10. Disposal (2.6%)

• Renters- The decide before they sign.

  • 90% of renters begin their home search on the internet. A video tour is comparable to holding an open house 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
  • Listings that include a video get 400% more inquiries than listings without.

• Reviews- They do matter.

  A recent study found that 78% of prospective residents said the property management company’s online reviews were the biggest factor in choosing where to live. For millennials in the study, it was even higher, at 86%.

• Number one error in Justice Courts

  According to most judges in Justice Court, the number one error is the landlord’s failure to properly serve residents notice. Our office has found it’s the little things that matter.