One of the more popular trends raising questions for Uniondale rental property owners is whether or not to allow tenants to keep chickens. Keeping chickens has turned into a popular activity in recent years, even for urban neighborhoods. While the reasons behind this popularity vary, many people do it with thoughts about producing their own food or keeping insect populations under control. Both of these reasons are true advantages of keeping chickens, but there are numerous dangers you should know about, too. In this regard, you can more confidently decide what to say when your tenant asks to keep chickens on your rental property.
Zoning Issues
Not all municipalities are chicken-friendly. While certain areas allow residential neighborhoods to keep chickens in their yards, others do not. As a property owner, it’s advisable to learn your local ordinances and share them effectively with your tenant. If not, they may not think it is essential to follow local laws and keep prohibited animals on the property, thus exposing both of you to the risk of fines and legal troubles.
Property Damage
At least, most chickens will need a clean and secure chicken coop, as well as fencing and a run. If your rental property doesn’t by now have a fence and a coop, your tenant will likely have to build one. While some chicken coops can be very nice, there’s no guarantee that the one your tenant will build will be. Moreover, if your tenants decide to leave, and even if they take the coop with them, you’ll be left with dead and damaged landscaping where the coop used to be.
Biohazard Risk
Another hazard that chickens pose is that chicken droppings are a potential biohazard. Chicken poop is untidy, stinky, and frequently gets tracked everywhere, including inside the house itself. Also, chicken droppings can carry diseases that can put the health of you and your tenants at risk.
Attract Rodents and Predators
Rodents and other pests are opportunistic feeders. That means they will be attracted to places where food is convenient and plentiful. Rodents love chicken coops for this reason. Not only will rodents be attracted to the chicken feed, but they may also go after the chicken eggs or even the chickens themselves. The same is true for wild animals or even domesticated cats and dogs. If an owl, neighborhood stray, or even your neighbor’s beloved pet gets into your rental yard, the ensuing massacre won’t be a pleasant experience.
Noise Issues
One more concern with keeping chickens is the noise. Chickens can be pretty loud, even hens. Chickens make a great variety of loud sounds that possibly bother a close neighbor. If your rental property’s yard isn’t sufficiently big, those loud birds could turn into a nuisance or, in a number of instances, even violate noise ordinances.
In spite of a couple of instances of tenants successfully keeping chickens, the hazards aren’t worth it for most property owners. Obviously, every event and rental property is exceptional, so picking appropriately for you and your tenants is significant.
Do you want help fielding tenant requests for animals, pets, or other things? Our Uniondale property managers can aid! Contact Real Property Management Landmark for more information on how we help rental property owners like you keep your tenants happy and protect your investment at once.
We are pledged to the letter and spirit of U.S. policy for the achievement of equal housing opportunity throughout the Nation. See Equal Housing Opportunity Statement for more information.
