over 6 years ago
RENTING WITH PETS
As a tenant it can be an exciting time moving house, looking to upsize with a growing family or simply looking for change. You find the perfect property online plan your inspection then ask the all-important question- if your furry friend can live in this perfect house with you!
The agent replies ‘Sorry no pets allowed’, your heart breaks and now this is no longer the perfect house for you. Why is it so hard to find a property that accepts pets?
Unfortunately, most Landlords have already had a ‘badly behaved tenant/pet’ in their rental property and simply don’t want to take the risk again. Everyone has heard the stories, damaged carpet, scratched doors and floors, broken blinds caused from a pet. It’s these tenants that are few and far between that spoil it for the rest of the great tenants looking to move.
Some Landlords accept that their property is ‘perfect’ for pets and will accept them as there is ample garden space, usually with a performance clause written into the lease that the pets must be kept outside which can be quite difficult for some pet owners to manage as they love cuddles on the couch with their cat or dog. Sometimes properties are just not suitable for a pet and in some instances in apartment buildings Owners Corporations do not allow them at all.
Interestingly when a property is advertised as ‘pets accepted’ the property leases quicker than a property without, we also find that the tenants are prepared to offer additional bond to put the Landlords mind at ease that they will take full responsibility for anything that may happen as a result of the pet living in the property. A pet clause is included in the lease agreement requiring the tenant to rectify any damage caused by the pet and fumigation to the property to be carried upon vacating.
However, things could change soon, currently reforms to the Residential Tenancies Act will be introduced into the Victorian Parliament in 2018, and if passed, these reforms would be implemented in 2019. Tenants will have the right to keep pets, provided they obtain the landlord’s written consent first. Landlords will not be able to unreasonably refuse a request for consent.
In the meantime, pet owners, it’s always best to be honest about having a pet live in the property with you.
The agent replies ‘Sorry no pets allowed’, your heart breaks and now this is no longer the perfect house for you. Why is it so hard to find a property that accepts pets?
Unfortunately, most Landlords have already had a ‘badly behaved tenant/pet’ in their rental property and simply don’t want to take the risk again. Everyone has heard the stories, damaged carpet, scratched doors and floors, broken blinds caused from a pet. It’s these tenants that are few and far between that spoil it for the rest of the great tenants looking to move.
Some Landlords accept that their property is ‘perfect’ for pets and will accept them as there is ample garden space, usually with a performance clause written into the lease that the pets must be kept outside which can be quite difficult for some pet owners to manage as they love cuddles on the couch with their cat or dog. Sometimes properties are just not suitable for a pet and in some instances in apartment buildings Owners Corporations do not allow them at all.
Interestingly when a property is advertised as ‘pets accepted’ the property leases quicker than a property without, we also find that the tenants are prepared to offer additional bond to put the Landlords mind at ease that they will take full responsibility for anything that may happen as a result of the pet living in the property. A pet clause is included in the lease agreement requiring the tenant to rectify any damage caused by the pet and fumigation to the property to be carried upon vacating.
However, things could change soon, currently reforms to the Residential Tenancies Act will be introduced into the Victorian Parliament in 2018, and if passed, these reforms would be implemented in 2019. Tenants will have the right to keep pets, provided they obtain the landlord’s written consent first. Landlords will not be able to unreasonably refuse a request for consent.
In the meantime, pet owners, it’s always best to be honest about having a pet live in the property with you.