Pet-Friendly Rentals

Many landlords automatically say no to pets, but it could be worth reconsidering if pets are allowed in your rental property.

Research suggests that pet-friendly properties are often rented out more quickly and retain tenants for longer, and there’s even evidence that tenants may be prepared to pay more to rent a pet-friendly home. We take a look at the ins and outs of renting with pets, for both landlords and tenants.

A nation of animal lovers

Australia has one of the highest rates of pet ownership in the world, with more than 29 million pets. Around 61 per cent of Aussie households own a pet, with dogs being the most common (40 per cent), followed by cats (27 per cent).

Sadly, the number one reason pets are surrendered to the RSPCA is because their owners can’t find pet-friendly rental accommodation. The RSPCA reports that 15 – 30 per cent of all the dogs and cats they take in each year have been given up because their owners couldn’t take them to their new rental property.

What are the laws about pets in rental properties in Queensland?

A tenant in Queensland must have written permission from the property manager or property owner to keep a pet, and it must be written into the standard terms of their tenancy agreement.

Landlords can (and often do) refuse tenant requests to keep a pet. In late 2019 the State Government proposed changes that would mean that a landlord could not reasonably refuse a tenant’s request to keep a pet in their rental property. The bill hasn’t made any further progress since then, but change may be just around the corner.

Can I keep a pet in my rented apartment?

If your rented home is part of a body corporate scheme, you not only need your landlord’s permission, but you may need that of the body corporate too. It all depends on the scheme’s by-laws.

Some body corporates have by-laws prohibiting all animals, or all animals of a certain type, such as cats, dogs, or dogs over 10kg. At the other end of the spectrum, some schemes have no by-law about animals, in which case you only need your landlord’s permission to keep a pet. You will, however, still need to adhere to the scheme’s noise by-laws and nuisance legislation, so you need to make sure your pet is suitable for the property and not likely to disturb the neighbours.

A common animal by-law is one where a pet is allowed provided you get permission from the body corporate first. This type of by-law often comes with conditions, such as keeping the animal “suitably restrained” while it is on common property. Even if you receive permission from the body corporate to keep a pet, you’ll still also need permission from your landlord.

What can pet-owning renters do?

The main concerns landlords have about pets in their properties are that they might cause property damage, or that they might make excessive noise that will disturb the neighbours. If you’re a pet owner looking for a rental property, there are things you can do to help allay your potential landlord’s fears.

• Make a pet CV. Include as much information about your pet as possible, such as its age, breed, temperament, size, vaccination and vet records to show that it’s healthy and well looked after, information about any training it’s had, and details about how much time it’ll be spending alone. It won’t hurt to include a cute photo or two!
• Include references. References from a previous landlord, neighbour or body corporate go a long way in assuring your landlord that your pet is no trouble.
• Reassure. Reassure your potential landlord that you’ll cover any property damage by offering to have the carpet professionally cleaned or committing to having your pet groomed on a regular basis, including having its nails trimmed. You could also promise to have the property treated for fleas when you move out.
• A note about pet bonds. In Queensland landlords are not permitted to charge or accept an additional pet bond, but we do see some tenants who offer to pay extra rent, even $5 or $10 a week, to give their rental application the edge. Talk to your property manager.

How can landlords protect their property?

If you agree to accept pets in your investment property, you increase your pool of potential tenants, and the good news is that there are plenty of good tenants with well-behaved pets out there. But what can you do to minimise any potential damage to your property?

Having your property manager do the correct due diligence by properly checking references for any potential tenants and their furry friends is a good start.

Plus, these days it’s not difficult to find landlord insurance that includes cover for pet damage. There are insurance products on the market that have a generous claim limit for pet damage and don’t require the pet to be named on the lease agreement. Of course, like all insurance products, landlord insurance policies are not created equal, and there are many that don’t cover pet damage, or are very restrictive in what can be insured, so be sure to do your research before signing on the dotted line.

If you’re looking for a specialist property manager or to rent a property in Brisbane, contact our friendly and professional team today.