Can you have a pet in a rental property?

Did you know that 69% of households across metropolitan regional and remote Australia are home to one or more pets? This shouldn’t come as a surprise, as it is well knowns that pets tend to have a positive impact on their owners’ lives. However, not everyone owns their own home, and many battle with whether they can both live in a rental property, as well as have a pet. In this month’s blog we are diving into the topic of if you have a pet in a rental property, the pros and cons from a landlord’s perspective, along with ways to increase your chance of being approved for a pet. Read on to learn more!

We often tend to just think about cats and dogs, when we think about pets, however, there are a range of other animals that require pet approval. Aside from cats and dogs, we also receive pet approval for birds, rabbits, and even snakes. No matter what type of pet you own, pet approval is required by landlords before they can be brought into the property.

What factors are considered when requesting pet approval?

Property suitability
For a property manager and a landlord to approve a pet in a rental property there are a few factors that must be considered. First and foremost, the property must be suitable to support a pet. It is in the best interest of all parties – including the pet – that an assessment is made, as to the suitability of the property for the type of pet you are requesting. Some factors that come into this include, if the property is fenced, and whether there is adequate space for the pet.

Property environment
Along with the property suitability, the property environment must also be considered. Some dogs tend to bark regularly, causing disturbances to neighbours. This can be a deterring factor for some landlords, who want to ensure their tenants are not causing unwanted problems.

Pet references
A pet reference is a great way to demonstrate that your pet is well-behaved, does not cause damage to a property, doesn’t bark nonstop, as well as provides reassurance that you are a responsible pet owner who will take responsibility for their pet. If you already own a pet and have rented through a rental agency, your previous property manager will in most cases be happy to provide this refence.

Pros and Cons
Over the past decade, we have seen changing trends when it comes to pets in rental properties, as more landlords are open to the idea of allowing tenants to have pets. In some states, such as Victoria, we have seen legislation come into effect, restricting a landlord’s ability to deny pets from rental properties. At this time pet approval is still required in South Australia, however, the legislation around this is currently being reviewed by the government and we may see a change soon.

Tenants with pets can often be highly beneficial for a landlord, as many are willing to pay a premium to be able to have their pet there. Another benefit for landlords is the stability that pets create. Pet owners are often grateful to have a place that allows them to keep their pets and will stay for longer periods, creating a more stable tenancy.
The primary con when it comes to having a pet in a rental property is property damage. As rental properties are primarily owned by investors, hoping for the property’s value to increase over time, they want to ensure that the property is kept in good condition. The risk of a pet damaging property and costing the landlord to repair can be the primary deterring factor that prevents some from approving pets.

Conclusion
When it comes to pets in properties, there is no blanket answer as to whether it is accepted, however, as you will have noticed, it is very common. There are several benefits to both tenants and landlords when it comes to having a pet in a rental property, so if you are living in a rental property, or are looking to move to a new property, we encourage you to speak with the Property Manager, as they are always open to discussion.