Renting with pets

Australia has one of the highest rates of pet ownership in the world, meaning there’s a good chance if you’re a tenant you come accompanied by a four-legged, feathered, or even scaly friend.

But finding the right rental property to accommodate your faithful companion isn’t without its challenges. Some properties aren’t suited to pets, some landlords aren’t in favour of them, while pets come with their own unique requirements.

That said, there are ways to make renting with pets a little easier, and to assist we’ve compiled this quick and easy guide to renting with pets.

Some quick pet statistics

According to the RSPCA, there are over 29 million pets in Australia, with 61 per cent of households welcoming in an animal friend.

Dogs are by far the most favoured pet, comprising 40 per cent of the nation’s pet population, followed by cats (27 per cent), fish (11 per cent), birds (9 per cent) then small mammals, reptiles and ‘other pets’.

But as a tenant how do you go about renting with a pet in tow?

Pet friendly properties

These days more and more landlords appreciate that people love their pets, while even strata buildings are loosening their regulations when it comes to having pets reside in units or townhouses.

If you’re looking to rent with a pet, the key phrase to look for in any rental listing is ‘pet friendly’. This indicates a property may be suited to some or all types of pets including cats and dogs.

Even if the words ‘pet friendly’ aren’t listed in the property’s rental write-up, some landlords will allow a pet if you request permission, and yes permission is required even if your pet is small, feathered or reptilian.

That said, even if a pet is approved, it’s important you ensure they are catered for properly and do not damage the property.

Catering to your pet

You know your pet better than anyone so it’s important to have a good idea about what sort of property will accommodate their needs.

Are they better off outdoors than indoors, do they need a big backyard, and could they prove a nuisance when it comes to unnecessary noise like barking or whining?

When you’re looking for a rental property, consider your pet’s needs, and cater to them where possible to eliminate any potential problems or stress.

Adhering to conditions

Although a landlord may allow a pet, they may also impose conditions when it comes to your pet residing at their property. For example, some pets may be outdoors only, or perhaps cats are permitted but dogs are not.

As a tenant it’s important you adhere to these conditions out of respect for the property and to ensure you are not in breach of your lease.

Meanwhile, most lease agreements will stipulate that a property must undergo a pest treatment at the end of any tenancy if a pet is in residence.

Oh and in the unlikely situation your pet causes damage to a property, be upfront about it and be prepared to have it fixed.

Seeking pet permission

If you’re looking to acquire a new pet or an extra one while residing in a rental property, you will need to seek permission from your landlord.

After all, a pet is like having an extra resident in the home, and as we’ve mentioned some properties are better suited to pets than others.

It’s also really important that you don’t try to conceal a pet. If your landlord has a strict no-pet policy, you could find yourself in breach of your lease.

Pet references

If you’ve rented a property with your pet before, it’s a great idea to seek out a pet reference from your previous property manager.

This reference indicates the type of pet you have and how well it has behaved at the property, also highlighting that the pet has not damaged the home or inconvenienced the neighbours around you.

These days it’s not uncommon for property managers to ask for pet references along with rental applications and these references can go a long way to getting Fido or your faithful feline across the rental line.

A pet bond

In some states like Western Australia an additional bond might be payable if you’re looking to rent with a pet.

This bond basically protects your landlord against any damage that might be incurred, and of course if your pet is faultless in their behaviour, at the end of your tenancy you will see that money returned.

How we can help

Our experienced property managers pride themselves on establishing great relationships with both tenants and landlords. We manage every property as if it were our own and you can learn more about our property management services here.

If you’re looking for a rental property, you can view the properties we currently have available here. Alternatively, if you’re looking for a trustworthy and experienced Property manager to take care of your investment property, then complete the form below and we’ll be in touch!

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