22nd March 2019 / Prue Fletcher: Bringing Pets Into A Rental Property

Improving your chances of being accepted for a rental with your best friend, who just happens to be of the four-legged variety, is there even such a thing?

The answer is YES.

Recent changes to Victorian State tenancy laws will no longer allow landlords to simply just list a 'no pets policy' and will only be allowed to refuse pets under certain circumstances. *Changes aren't due to take effect until 2020.

So until then, let's come up with some creative ways to get everyone out of the dog house...

Prepare a Pet Passport
Include previous landlord references, photographs of how you keep your home, VET documents, etc. This will help show the owner that you are a responsible pet owner who takes pride and care in both their animal and surrounds.

Payment Options
Offer to either increase the weekly rent, pay a certain period up front or pay a pet bond to help incentivise the owner to be swayed your way.

Relationship
Strike up a good relationship with the Property Manager offering to have more routine inspections or report to them on a regular basis with photos, etc. of how you are keeping the home.

Space
Be sensible about your sausage dog and keep small spaces in mind. Don't apply for spaces which aren't suitable for the breed of animal. It's not fair on your dog and it's not fair on your neighbours.
After all, it really is your dogs home... you just pay the rent.