Partner with dog wants to move in

Hi All,

I’ve had a request from my PM for a property in Adelaide if my current tenants partner and pug dog can move in.

Currently there is just the tenant and her child and no pets.

Im not opposed to pets and have them in other IPs. However when I asked the PM do they take a pet bond or ask for a rent increase to cover the 2 new tenants she has said there is nothing that can be done until lease renewal time which is next March. I question this as the PM seems reluctant to do anything for me and I always have to push for incremental increases each year when she wants to leave it where it is (probably a seperate issue)

What are people’s thoughts? Should i be asking for more rent to cover the extra wear and tear and risk of damage and can the lease be modified (new tenants and rental increase) mid term in SA?

Thanks

 

You may be focusing on the wrong thing. The dog is probably less of a risk than the partner is.

Check out the partner thoroughly. Good people tend to have good pets.

 

Thanks Peter,

That’s another issue with my current PM they don’t use the national database to check on potential tenants.

 

Seriously? That's one of the main reasons I use a PM!

 

I know!!! To be honest I should have got rid of this PM a while ago.

 

Pet bond and flea treatment on end of lease.

 

Thanks asked about both of these.

Response: we can’t modify the lease until it renews in March and oh yea we can throw ones of those flea bombs in there when they move out!!! I think she is talking about a mortein bomb or something similar...this wasn’t my understand of what a post pet tenancy flea treatment is.

 

If your PM isn't doing tenant checks properly and the other things you've mentioned (managing the rent increases, checking out the changes properly), perhaps you're asking the wrong question.

Maybe you should be asking for a recommendation of a PM in your property's location...

 

That is surely a big deal I'll say...

Regarding pets, having pets actually lot of the times can work in your favour.

Tenants will be more reluctant to move on which is a good thing provided they are good tenants in first place!!...

New person should go on the lease and I'll request agent to do all the required checks!!...

Also worth checking age of the dog..

Fyi, as part of proposed changes to RTA -

When the new laws come into effect, renters will be able to:

• Have a pet with the written consent of their residential rental provider. Consent can only be reasonably refused through a Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT) order

Cheers,

 

I agree. You can terminate a lease by mutual agreement in writing, which is what would happen to implement the changes sought.

...although just quickly, off the top of my head I don't think you can do a pet bond in SA? I can't remember now.

 

https://www.sa.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0005/345254/RentingWithPets_TenanciesUpdate.pdf

 

Agree and this is what I was alluding to in my first post when I said “probably a seperate issue”

I will create a seperate post for this.

Thanks

 

Thanks as I said above I’ve got no problem with pets and have them in quite a few other IPs. I’m just wondering if people think it’s reasonable to ask for an increase in rent.

This property is in Adelaide not Victoria so VCAT doesn’t apply

 

Thanks good advice I all around I think. If I write up a new lease do you think it would be reasonable to ask for an increase?

 

Sounds like you have a lazy and useless PM.
It's a tough balance, and I understand their margins are small, but they still need to be prepared to do the work.
I don't know what the law is in SA, but assuming it allows you to charge a pet bond, do that.

Generally speaking I would be in favour of somebody who own a Pug. At the risk of generalising, they are more likely to be responsible, and less likely to be bogans.

I wouldn't ask for an increase in rent, unless you are terminating the current agreement and entering into a whole new one, and feel the market has moved.

 

Increasing rent each year is a sure fire way to lose your tenants. There is a fine balance between looking after good tenants and trying to make an extra buck. Getting an extra $10 could tip your tenant over the edge and they could go into arrears or start damaging your property. You could then be out of pocket for months....for $10 a week....is it worth it?
Same thing with trying to squeeze more money for a pet. Just set some conditions around having the pet and call it a day

 

I'm quite sure there's no issue with issuing a new lease if necessary that includes the requirement to have pest control done, and anything else you need to have in there.

Pretty sure you can't take a pet bond in Adelaide though- @D.T.?

 

No, pet bonds are a WA only thing.

Dont need to do a new lease, can just do an addendum to specify the changes.