Securing a rental for you and your pet

If you’re looking for a rental property for you and your pet, the odds are stacked against you. Try securing a rental without mentioning you have a pet and you can take your pick. Mention that you have a furry friend and well over half those doors will be closed to you. You can better your odds, though, if you take the right steps to make both you and your pet welcome.

Why pets are not welcome in some rental properties

Landlords and body corporates decide not to allow pets for a variety of reasons:

• Barking dogs disturb other tenants
• Cats sometimes scratch and damage furniture
• Dogs might ruin the carpet
• Some pets shed dander and can aggravate allergies
• If the landlord has ever had a pet that wasn’t toilet trained, they could have decided not to allow them on their property again
• An undisciplined pet can frighten and disturb neighbours or other tenants

If you want to secure a rental for you and your pet, it’s important that you see your animal through the landlord’s eyes and take steps to address their fears in advance. Some things you can include with your rental application are:

• pet references from previous landlords
• an assurance that you will pet proof the property
• proof that your dog attended obedience school (and passed!)
• evidence that your pet has regular check-ups

If pet dander isn’t an issue with yours, mention it. If it might be an issue, offer to include a clause in your agreement that you will take all necessary measures to eliminate the problem.

Finding a pet-friendly rental

Few landlords advertise their pet policy. When you’re browsing for rentals, this could lead you to the false assumption that only those that mention they are ‘pet friendly’ will allow you to keep a pet. Often, the reason why landlords don’t advertise rentals as pet friendly is because they don’t want to discourage renters who have a bias against pets, or they might not want to have their apartment complex overrun with pets.

One good way to find a rental that will accept your pet is to get local real estate agents to help you with your search. Tell them about your pet and your relationship with it in detail. Is your dog large or small? Is it older and sedate or a young puppy bursting with energy? Do you have time to exercise your dog every day or will it be confined to the house? Does your cat have long or short hair? Your pet references, too, will help them find accommodation for you and your pet.

You may have to start looking sooner and broaden the area of your search, but you can find a suitable rental for yourself and your pet. After your pet moves into your new home, make sure it is a good tenant and you will both have a happy home for as long as you remain in your rental.