Home Farming in Rental Properties: 3 Things Tenants Need to Know

Considering the fact that 77% of the people in America prefer to rent instead of buying a home, and food prices have increased 22% in the last four years, which may encourage some renters to start their own hobby farm.

One of the biggest hurdles tenants face is figuring out how to farm without a sense of permanence. Well, home farming in a rental doesn’t have to mean grand, permanent changes.

Check to confirm the chickens

Before you start building your hobby farm, it’s essential to determine if chickens are a viable addition to your rental property. Your first step should always be reviewing your lease agreement. Most rental contracts mention rules about pets—and yes, your chickens are your pets. If the agreement doesn’t explicitly say “no pets”, check with your landlord to see if chickens would be an okay addition to your hobby farm.

Once you’ve confirmed that keeping chickens is permitted, it’s time to consider the specifics, such as the breeds you’d like and the egg colors you’d enjoy harvesting. Interestingly, egg colors—ranging from white and brown to even blue-green—are not only visually appealing but also offer insight into the unique traits and characteristics of your flock, adding a personalized and charming touch to your hobby farm.

If your landlord gives you the green light, they might ask for an additional deposit to cover potential damage. While chickens aren’t likely to scratch up the walls or ruin the carpet like some other indoor pets might, their outdoor antics could affect landscaping.

Pro tip: Don’t forget to check your local council’s rules about keeping chickens in residential areas. Some councils limit the number of chickens you can have or prohibit roosters altogether.

Navigating the financial side of home farming

It’s important to keep in mind that starting a hobby farm isn’t exactly cheap, especially when you’re working with a rental property. While the rewards—fresh produce, sustainable living, and even the satisfaction of self-sufficiency—can be priceless, the upfront costs can feel a bit daunting.

Even small-scale animals like chickens require a coop, feed, and supplies, all of which add up. Then there’s the cost of seeds, soil, gardening tools, and ongoing expenses like water and maintenance. Here are a few ways to lighten the financial load:

• You don’t need to dive into full-scale farming on day one. Begin with a couple of potted herbs, a tomato plant, or even a small worm farm for composting. This keeps initial costs low and allows you to test the waters and figure out what works best for your space.
• Instead of buying everything new, look for second-hand tools and equipment. You can also get creative with recycled materials using pallets for raised beds or repurposed barrels for rainwater collection.
• Install efficient irrigation systems or practice water harvesting during the rainy season to reduce your water bill. Compost kitchen scraps to create nutrient-rich soil instead of buying fertilizer.

Growing your own food saves on grocery bills, and with a bit of planning, you can even share or sell excess produce to offset expenses. Plus, the skills and experience you gain are priceless—you can’t put a dollar value on learning how to care for animals or grow a thriving garden!

Other ways to make life easier as a tenant

RentRedi offers flexible rent payment options so tenants can deposit cash at over 90,000 retail locations; plus, we’ve partnered with Sure Insurance to offer affordable insurance to keep your stuff safe. Find out all the ways RentRedi makes life easier for tenants today.