PET PROBLEMS WITH RENTALS

Supplied by REIWA President - David Airey 13/6/2015

It's a sad story when you hear that tenants have to give over their pet to the RSPCA because they were not permitted to keep animals in their rental.
Please do check prior to signing your lease if animals are allowed don't think you can just sneak them in you will get caught at some stage and heart break will follow.

When this happens it's almost always because the tenant didn't advise the property manager or landowner about the pet before moving in, or they obtained the pet after moving in even though the lease didn't allow it.

It's a very similar situation in strata buildings.  Even if the resident is the owner of their particular apartment or villa, if the strata bylaws don't allow pets then you must abide by that and you have an obligation to be aware of the by-laws before moving in.
Most strata's do not allow pets.

Pet owners have a responsibility to be up-front about their companion animals when applying for a rental or buying into a strata complex.
It can be hard for tenants with pets to find a home that will accommodate them.
No matter how good your dog is generally there is some damage associated with them unfortunately.  It's up to you to make it all good then there wont be a problem.

An increasing number of people keep pets for companionship or security and most pet owners are responsible about the care and behaviour of their animals.
Being a pet owner myself I completely understand why people want pets, but if you are working all day and the animal is at home alone you have to ask is it fair?  Mine comes to work.

Under the Residential Tenancies Act, property owners have the right to refuse pets, although most property managers will advise owners to keep an open mind, provided the dwelling is suitable for the animal.
They are either a pet lover or not.

Landowners can require  pet bond of $260, and in addition to this any repair of damage caused by the animals that is not rectified by the tenants at the end of their lease can be deducted from the main bond.
Hardly big enough bond I would think to sway any landlord that is not a pet owner.

Animals that are unclean, unsafe or a nuisance can be removed and/or the tenant's lease can be terminated.
Probably shouldn't have an animal if they don't take care of it I think personally.

To help landowners and pet owners, REIWA has produced a Pet Lease Agreement used exclusively by our property managers and which has been well received in the community.

MAKE YOUR OWN DECISIONS AND GIVE IT A REAL GO !!