As a general rule, you are not liable for the acts of a renter's dog unless you have reason to believe the dog is aggressive or otherwise dangerous. Our lease requires the renter to disclose (a) the dog's breed and weight; (b) whether the dog has ever behaved aggressively toward people or other animals; (c) whether the dog has accidentally caused injury to any person or animal (e.g. tripping a person or injuring another animal while playing). The lease also requires notification within 24 hours, if, during the lease period, the dog commits any of the act described in (b) or (c). A further condition is that we personally meet and interact with the dog. Typically, Homeowners Insurance Polices exclude coverage for injuries caused by animals. Accordingly, we require renters to have Rental Insurance and provide a copy of the policy (this policy should cover liability for the dog's acts). It is important to receive a copy of the policy to confirm that the renters disclosed the dog on the application and it is not a breed that the insurance company excludes from coverage.
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