Hobart property managers’ tips on renting with pets

Baxton.me
8 September 2017

Hobart property managers’ tips on renting with pets

You love your cat, you rely on your dog for security. But what do you do when you rent a property? Can you take your furry friend with you into a rental house, unit or apartment in Tasmania? Baxton Property Management in Hobart, offers some advice on what will improve your chances of keeping your pet or pets with you.

Australians are pet lovers. One of every three own a pet. However, just because they love their pets, it doesn’t mean that landlords will necessarily love yours. Especially if it damages their property. Neither does it mean that your neighbours will overlook noise or disturbance, if you rent an apartment, unit or house in a closed community.

Some tips from Baxton property management

One pet doesn’t fit all, and one rental doesn’t fit all pets. If you look at properties, ask yourself if your pet will be happy there. Is it fair to lock a big dog up all day while you are at work, with no garden for exercise? It certainly would not be fair to blame the dog (or the neighbours for getting cross) if the big fellow barks all day. Choose a place that will be good for your pet, as well as for you.
Look at pet friendly properties to start off with. If a Landlord or owner has gone to the trouble of including a clause that prohibits pets, he or she might not easily be swayed to accept your pet. In some areas pets are prohibited by communal laws, even if the landlord doesn’t mind. That is why it is better to search for properties that are pet friendly form the start, to avoid hassles.
If you are not sure, and if the advert doesn’t state whether pets are allowed, then it is a good idea to ask. And it is best to keep a record of the answer. Rather be honest about your furry companions than try to hide them.
If your landlord agrees to your having a pet, make sure to include a clause in the lease stating such permission, before you move in.
If your pet causes damage, becomes a nuisance, or the property does not remain in a reasonable condition because of it, you might still be issued a Notice of breach of duty. This notice may also require the damage to be repaired, and ask for assurance that the nuisance value and poor conditions caused by the pet won’t happen again.
If there was no agreement on having a pet, you might be asked to remove the pet. However, if your furry friend has caused no damage, and has not been a nuisance, the landlord may not serve such a notice for breach of duty just because there is a clause in the tenancy agreement you signed that stated you could not have a pet.

Discuss your pet with the landlord:

If you can prove you have spayed or neutered your pet, it is house trained and socialized, your landlord might be more willing to accept it.

Perhaps introduce the landlord to your pet, so that he or she can see how well behaved it is. You might want to offer to remove all traces of your pet once you leave. Although you would be obliged to clean anyway, you could agree to have specialized treatments carried out to remove fleas and odours.

Maybe you could even suggest your landlord gives you a trial period with your pet. If the landlord agrees, make sure you are responsible, and keep to the agreement.

For any further questions on renting with pets, or any other tenancy issues, visit Baxton property managers in Hobart.

The information contained in this article is based on the authors opinion only and is of a general nature which is not indicative of future results or events and does not consider your personal situation or particular needs. Professional advice should always be sought relevant to your circumstances.

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