In this article, I share the key ups and downs of allowing pets at your investment property
The idea of allowing pets at your rental property may send a shiver up your spine.
Well the question is “why are property owners so nervous about pets”?
Firstly, and it’s likely the factor at the front of many landlord’s minds, pets may damage a property through chewing, digging and leaving stains on carpets or a noisy barking dog upsets the neighbours.
There are lots of things to consider and it may seem easier to decide no pets are allowed.
The biggest issue that I have found over the years, is that property owners have either had a bad experience with pets themselves or they know someone that has.
The pet stories sometimes come thick and fast.
With more and more people owning pets today, especially dogs, you may miss out on quality tenants if you don’t allow pets.
Around 90 per cent of Australian households have had a pet at some time. As we saw throughout the various stages of COVID-19 lockdowns and restrictions , getting a furry friend was a popular option for people. Everyone was staying home more and it was the perfect time to train a new pet.
With pet ownership continuing to be popular, allowing pets at your property will naturally open you up to a larger pool of tenants when your property is available for rent.
Many dog owners have been refused a rental property because they have a furry friend, whether the pet is well behaved or not.
While some pets out there aren’t well behaved, a responsible tenant will likely be a responsible pet owner, so you can be assured that you’ll attract some quality tenants.
Further, with pet-friendly properties still in short supply, making your property pet-friendly may help it rent faster and attract more enquiries.
To protect your property make sure your property manager carries out their due diligence, to check that the furry friend is well behaved. You can ask potential tenants for a “pet resume” to make sure you have all the details before deciding.
Setting clear guidelines from the start is also important, so the tenant knows what will happen if the pet is too noisy or damages the property.
If you’ve ever owned a pet, you probably know the joy it brings to your life.
Current and potential tenants are likely to be much the same. If you allow pets in your property while protecting yourself as best you can, you can attract more prospective tenants to a property and potentially have these tenants become long-term residents as pet-friendly properties are still hard to come by.
It’s certainly worth considering, especially once you have the right precautions in place.
If you are worried or have any concerns speak with your property manager. After all you do not want to dismiss a great tenant.
Kim Purser 0408 400 904 kim@kimpurserproperties.com.au