There are more pets in Australia than people, so it’s easy to understand why there is such a demand for rental properties which allow you to keep pets. 63% of households in this country own one, so we are a nation of pet lovers!
Statistics show that only 10% of rental properties are advertised as pet friendly and if you log onto any rental property website, you’ll notice that there’s a distinct lack of availability.
Here at Able Removals we help to relocate families who have pets and have come up with some general advice for those moving into rented accommodation.
Most landlords impose a ‘no pets’ clause as they are worried about the potential risks of having them in their tenanted property. These concerns are usually unfounded and in fact research has shown that damage is rare and households with pets tend to stay in rental properties longer than those without, bringing long-term secure rent.
Strata laws can prohibit people from having any pets. In recent years there’s been a move to try to relax these laws and strata complexes are being encouraged to set their own guidelines on pet ownership by not ‘unreasonably refusing’ a request to keep a small pet.
You may want to try to persuade the landlord of a property to accommodate animals by preparing a ‘Pet CV’. This includes a record of your pet’s medical history including vaccinations, training certificates and references from previous landlords and neighbours. You could also offer to show the owner or landlord your pet as this may help win them over.
Landlords in Western Australia can legally ask for a pet bond of up to $260.00, it covers all pets in the property not just one animal. It does not exist in other states and the money from the pet bond can be used to fumigate the premises at the end of the tenancy.
Once a landlord agrees to you having a pet he cannot change his mind for the duration of the tenancy. A landlord can serve a breach of duty notice if your pet is causing problems. If this escalates further he or she can take it to a Civil and Administrative Tribunal where they must prove there’s been damage or severe nuisance to get a tenant or animal evicted.
If you’re hiding a pet and you are found out, realistically it’s unlikely you’ll face eviction if there’s no damage. The more normal course of action would be for the landlord not to renew your tenancy. If you’re already locked into a rental agreement and you want to get a pet, make sure you discuss this with the landlord before you make any commitments and bring it home.
Here at Able Removals we can help you with all your relocation requirements and that includes moving any pet related items like a kennel or basket. Joondalup based, we are family owned and are fully insured to ensure your move is as stress-free as possible.
