Renting with Pets - The Benefits for Tenants and Landlords

Responsible pet owners can make very good tenants; the kind that sign long term leases and take good care of their homes.

Approximately 60% of South Australian households own a pet such as a dog, cat, fish, bird or rabbit and care for their animals as a special part of their family.

By offering a pet-friendly rental, the benefits for landlords include:

• Many people looking for a rental property will be pet owners. By allowing pets the landlord may be able to rent out the property faster, potentially reducing the advertising spend.
• Tenants with pets can be more reliable long term renters.
• Having a dog around can help to prevent vandalism and break-ins that cause damage to a rental property.
• Allowing pets will help to reduce the number of animals that are euthanized in South Australia. Around 30% of dogs and cats surrendered to animal shelters are by owners who are unable to find accommodation where they can keep their pet. This can be distressing for pet owners, and even more so for people who are looking for new accommodation to escape domestic violence. Being able to keep a much loved pet and companion with them can bring a sense of comfort.

It is important for tenants to let a prospective landlord know that they are a responsible pet owner and will be a good tenant. To help with this:

• Ask your current landlord to provide a reference for you and your pet.
• A pet resume is also a good way to provide information about your pet in terms of their nature, registration and vaccination.

It is important to note that if a property is strata or community title, the tenant will need not only the landlord's approval, but the rules of the strata or community scheme usually require the consent of the strata corporation to keep an animal.

The landlord may use a pet agreement form that states the terms and conditions for the pet rental (e.g. number and type of animals, whether the animals are to be kept inside/outside, etc).

To help promote good rental arrangements where pets are concerned, the following information is available at https://www.sa.gov.au/topics/housing/renting-and-letting/renting-privately/pets-in-private-rental-properties:

• Factsheet - Tenants with pets: a guide for landlords and managing agents
• Factsheet - Renting with pets: a guide for tenants
• Sample pet resume
• Suggested items to include in a pet agreement.

For more information:

• About the rights and responsibilities of landlords and tenants visit http://www.sa.gov.au/topics/housing/renting-and-letting or phone Consumer and Business Services on 131 882.
• About strata and community titles contact the Legal Services Commission on 1300 366 424 or see the Strata Titles Legal Guide at http://www.lsc.sa.gov.au/resources/2014_Strata_Titles_Legal_Guide.pdf

If a tenant has a disability a landlord, strata or community corporation cannot prevent them from using an assistance dog or therapeutic animal. Contact the Equal Opportunity Commission of South Australia on 8207 1977 or the Australian Human Rights Commission on 1300 656 419 for more information.