Dogs wanted, rental backyards included
Dog-loving homeowners are renting out their backyards as a new side hustle
In an economy where 82% of homeowners have at least one thing that needs to be repaired in their homes but 60% of them can’t afford to fix it, the gig economy has become a permanent part of the job market. (And if you’re a woman homeowner, largely made up of single, black women, you really know about budgeting to pay the mortgage.) Even if your side gig is the complete opposite of your intended career or degree, money will always be needed.
And some homeowners are trying to blend side income with homeownership. How? Making full use of their backyards. Sites such as SniffSpot.com offer pet owners (usually who work 9-5 jobs and need somewhere for their dog to get exercise and relieve him/herself as needed) the option to pay for fully fenced dog parks, small dog parks and indoor dog parks.
In Illinois, top small dog parks (meaning someone’s backyard) range from a minimum of $7 per hour in suburban and downstate areas to a minimum of $10 per hour in the city of Chicago. (There’s one posting for $6 per hour, but the backyard and side yard are concrete with no grass.) The more successful private dog park homeowners show a drone-view of their backyards (the entire yard plus how close the neighbors’ lawns are), the gangway area, the outside of the home and even the trendy patio furniture.
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For pet owners who have “hoppers,” the descriptions for the homes answer questions about how high the fences are, if there are any gaps or holes in the fences, and what type of fence material is used. Pet hosts can confirm whether they have their own dogs or livestock (ex. chickens), whether there is a private entrance and whether there is a lot of human traffic coming to the home. Pet owners can rate whether the yard is clean, whether the yard is secure and check out the amenities (ex. dog toys, kiddie pools).
With all these perks, there are bound to be downsides for both pet owners and homeowners, right?