| Did you know that dog bites make up one-third | | | | the actions of your tenant's dogs. Better to know |
| of all homeowner insurance liability claims? I just | | | | in advance what you may be facing than to have |
| read this alarming tidbit in the November issue of | | | | it be a surprise. Furthermore, it also pays to |
| the AAA newsletter. If you are a landlord who | | | | examine the laws for your county and state |
| rents to tenants with dogs, then this statistic | | | | regarding landlord responsibility. Some may not |
| should give you pause. | | | | hold you liable unless you knew that the dog was |
| Many insurance companies won't cover liability for | | | | vicious and/or had a bite history. |
| dog bites for your rental policy. Depending on the | | | | If you do still feel that it is worth the added |
| state that you live in, it is not clear that your | | | | exposure to rent to tenants with dogs, do make |
| tenant can get personal liability insurance to cover | | | | sure that you know the breed, size and bite |
| dog bites either. For these reasons, it seems | | | | history of any of the dogs that your tenants will |
| prudent to seriously consider whether or not it is | | | | be keeping. Furthermore, when you renew their |
| worth it to rent to tenants with dogs - even | | | | lease, make sure that you check in with them |
| small, seemingly harmless dogs. In the event that | | | | about their dog(s) to ensure that there haven't |
| they bite and somebody sues, it's possible that | | | | been any incidents. Then document this |
| the harmed party will sue you - the landlord - if | | | | information in their rental file. Take any complaints |
| the bite occurred on your property. | | | | you receive from neighbors seriously. Lastly, |
| If you currently have tenants with dogs, or you | | | | when you do your drive by inspections, take |
| are willing to rent to tenants with dogs in the | | | | special note of the dog's behavior and consider |
| future, you should definitely find out whether your | | | | terminating the lease (as allowed by your local |
| insurance policy covers the liability associated with | | | | laws) if the dog appears to be vicious. |