Pet Fees That Actually Work & Colorado's New Walkthrough Rules Every Landlord Must Know

In this episode, Erin and James tackle what's a fair pet fee for STR/MTR properties, reveal shocking occupancy data that'll make you rethink your pet policy, and break down Colorado's new tenant walkthrough requirements. Plus, a cultural take on parenting regrets and how honest conversations break taboos in both family planning and real estate.

🐕 Pet Fees: The $100 Sweet Spot

James and Erin break down the BiggerPockets debate: pet fees aren't about profit—they're about covering increased cleaning costs. The consensus? Around $100, with flexibility to adjust cleaning fees for higher-maintenance situations.

📊 The Pet-Friendly Advantage: Game-Changing Data

VacCasa data shows pet-friendly listings had higher occupancy rates across every region and month. Going pet-friendly cuts competition by 30-50% in major metros, and allowing cats (not just dogs) creates maximum advantage. Biggest gap? December—families want pets for Christmas.

🏠 Colorado's New Tenant Law: Mandatory Walkthroughs

HB 25-1249 requires post-departure walkthroughs if tenants request them. You can only deduct from deposits for items noted during inspection, plus new cleanliness standards and the 10-year carpet rule. Bottom line: more transparency, but not as burdensome as it sounds.

Perfect for:

• Short-term and medium-term rental investors setting competitive rates
• Colorado landlords navigating new tenant protection laws
• Property managers looking for occupancy advantages in saturated markets
• Anyone interested in how transparency laws affect real estate investing

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