is this not fair?

[crazy_paws]

As someone who rents with dogs, I am grateful to be able to rent at all. If the person does not want to spay her dog to rent the property, fine and understandable, but then she is free to locate another rental property. Just as I did when I applied to rent somewhere and discovered they wanted any dogs on the property to live outside. There are all sorts of rules at various rental properties when you want to have pets..breed restrictions, no cats, no large dogs, etc...pet owning renters just have to find one that suits them

Pretty much ditto to all of this. I don't currently rent though.

 

[KageandHorton]

I wouldn't rent to a potential tenant that whined to me about not being fair before they have even rented from me. Even though I am not a landlord myself all my family members are and I have heard too many stories of and dealt with too many whiny tenants after the fact to choose one who is whining while I still have the choice as to whether or not to deal with them for a long time. It wouldn't matter what the woman was whining about!

 

[BostonBanker]

I don't think any of the policies is 'unfair' because when you rent, it is ultimately going to come down to the landlord's comfort zone and many times insurance issues too. If you don't like the policy enough, then don't rent there. It's rare enough these days to just find a place that will even take a dog at all.

Exactly. It's absolutely fine if people choose not to spay or neuter their dogs and are responsible with them. And it is absolutely fine for you to say "these are my requirements for a pet to live on my property". If I had a dog I was keeping intact and found an otherwise suitable place that required it, I'd certainly make the effort to explain my reasoning and be willing to make some adjustments if needed (higher deposit, training records, whatever). But I'd also be fine hearing "I'm sorry, I'm not comfortable with this" from the property owner.

 

[puppydog]

Well, I just wouldn't rent from a person requiring me to neuter and spay my dogs. Their home, their choice. If they started asking me why I don't want to do it I would promptly tell them it is none of their business, because it is not!

 

[Boemy]

I think your rule is completely fair. Some responsible dog owners do have intact dogs, but there are also a lot of people who don't get their dogs fixed because they're just lazy and can't be bothered. I've found the ratio skewed more heavily towards the latter in real life (not on Chazhound.) And you can't tell which is which just by looking at them. Also, some people will lie about whether they'll leave the dog in the yard, etc. Once you see them doing it, you can tell them to stop. But if it's an intact bitch in the yard and there are unneutered males next door, it may be "too late" to prevent puppies.

Potential renters should appreciate that you'll even consider having dogs on the property, when so many landlords just say "No pets, period."