re: Tenants with pet/s

Hi everyone,
We have an IP in Nerang and we have a potential good tenant but they have a cat.

How do investors see tenants with pets?

Any feedback is appreciated.
Thanks,

 

I see them as people with limited options and the likelihood of paying more to keep their pet.

 

Thanks Jetstream,

The pet(cat) aspect in the property. Should there be any concern?

 

I have a tenant with a small dog.

It is ok. I would prefer to have an older couple with a small dog than a person who does not care about their property.

 

Pets are awesome.

You can usually obtain slightly more rent - and the chance of the tenant sticking around a greater.

Use a decent PM and you'll be able to mitigate risk.

Cheers

Jamie

 

Yep, if they have a cat maybe they are considering having a kid... a kid will do far more damage then a cat....

Seriously though. That's what deposits and good records are for.

If they/the cat/the future kid/their friends do any damage that is considered beyond reasonable wear and tear they are responsible for fixing it, if they don't you apply/negotiate to take it out of the bond.

What is with the pet phobia of so many landlords?...

 

Cats are the best kind of pets for tenants to have. Relocating a cat is hard. You have to keep them indoors for at least 3 weeks or they try to run away and find the old house. Thus too hard to move, thus tenant tends to stay put.

 

I got plenty of cats in most of my IP's. Extra $5 a week, happy tenant, harder for them to relocate which means longer term tenants. I wouldn't be concerned, as long as your PM is doing thorough inspections you'll be fine.

 

I don't think it's a problem it may also give you a wider scope of Tenants ,from what i have seen there seems to be so many single middle age people with one pet and that pet maybe all they have in life and if they care for the animal then they take care also of the house..

 

Honestly I can't imagine what a cat would damage beyond the tenant's furniture. Australia is actually quite odd with its stringent pet policies, and I'm not sure there's anything really to gain from all the pickiness. If a pet damages the property and they don't fix it, you have a bond, right? Even a small dog isn't likely to damage much - maybe a bit of scratched paint at worst, which can be fixed. For a pet I would want good references.

 

Cats, dogs, kids; how would that matter?
You are thinking too much.

 

If their reference check out I would not be concerned. A good tenant is a good tenant. For me having pets isn't really a factor.

 

Just thought I'd add - if the market is very competitive you do have more flexibility to refuse pets, but in a looser market a long term tenant can be a huge asset, pets or no pets.

 

I like allowing pets for a couple reasons :

1) 80% of the population has a pet. Not allowing them reduces your potential tenant pool which in turn leads to longer let time and / or lower rent achieved.

2) most people don't allow pets. Therefore tenants stay longer due to lack of other options. A longer ongoing tenancy period benefits everyone involved.

 

I'm always open to a point of difference that will help me attract and retain good tenants and quite a few of my tenants have pets. A word of caution with cats is that they can and will pull the carpet. It can cause damage so ensure your PM includes that as part of their routine inspections.

- Andrew

 

I think it depends hugely on the individual cats. Ours just destroy our furniture. They don't seem to be interested in the carpet or any fixtures of the property. Maybe we are just lucky (despite having torn up furniture).

As the proud pet parent of two cats and two pomeranians (we are a landlords dream ), my advice would be to ensure the cats are DESEXED. When people talk about "smell" associated with cats this is usually from undesexed cats spraying etc.

 

What @VeronicaR said.

I make it a condition that the animals are desexed. I have a tenant with 2 dogs and 2 cats. No problem, the tenants take great care of the place!

 

BE MY TENANT! (Yes I'm screaming)

 

Did not know this. I just assumed all cats made that smell.
I allow pets... just not cats.

I may change my policy in light on this new information.
Is there a certificate they can provide to prove their cat has been desexed?

 

You guys are awesome i think.
My unit block strata management gave notice to home owners that their dog cant stay in the block.

He is a therapy dog who doesnt even barks and is very calm. Never even went to anyone unless you call him.

The owner is planning to go to fair trading and a couple of families are supporting him by signing the petition.

I dont know how people can have issues with such dogs. I feel for the dog.