Tenant pet application - a Staffy dog and a Tabby cat

Hi,

I got a pet application from a tenant. She is looking for new pets - a Staffy dog and a Tabby cat. Should I approve it? Do I need to add any conditions?

Thanks,
Kai

 

Hi Kai
I'm assuming this is a current tenant that is already in the property?

Is there a pet clause in your lease?

Do you have landlords insurance with one of the landlord specialists?

Is the house pet friendly i.e. does have a big backyard not strata titled and would generally suit a medium size dog?

Is the tenant generally responsible, that means that routine inspections are quite good and rent and water invoices are paid on time. Tenants that are responsible with other things could be responsible with pets as well.

If yes to all above then you can decide to allow pets because your risk would be minimised.

 

Sometimes having a tenant settled and living somewhere that they can really call home will prolong the tenancy

 

We originally said no pets allowed for ours, however after getting a dog (GSD), we generally ask for information on the pet. E.G. is it an inside or outside dog, is it house trained, does it have any training certificates etc, and then also drawing up a pet clause to have signed like @Xenia said.

I'm hoping that by us changing our minds, if we ever need to rent, we'll be provided the same opportunities to prove a pet will not be an issue.

 

What's with the big attraction to have Staffies?

Bogan's dog.

 

Does your backyard have adequate fencing for a staffy? Are you in a strata / body corporate that might disallow it?

Do up an addendum to the lease agreement allowing the pets - tenants need to be responsible for removing any damage, marks, smells, etc.

Only in WA can you charge a bond as I mentioned recently in Tenancy Tip Thursday - Rental Bonds

 

I guess what we would be looking at is if it is a current tenant how are they at looking after the property? If it is always in good shape then it is likely that a pet won't change that and if you draw up special conditions around carpet cleaning post tenancy I would say do it.

 

Having pets isn't a major concern.. As a good tenant will be a good tenant regardless of their pet ownership status... But I would be more careful than usual depending on pet breed... With Staffy's drawing more attention

 

Firstly I agree that pets tend to mean the tenants will stay longer. It is harder to get approved for rentals with pets, so they'll be stuck in your house to a degree.

I'd be getting a pet agreement, and chatting to the tenants about their intentions re what areas they will allow the pets to be in. Let them guide the conversation (ie confess intentions). I'd also find a way to determine their understanding of how to take care for pets, particularly with regards to feeding and bathing. Gently mention how awesome it is popping a plastic mat under the cat's food bowl since cats like to take their food out of the bowl, put it on the floor and eat it there, which is annoying when the food is sitting on floor tile grout which then has to be cleaned which is a hassle. Also figure out how they plan to bathe the pet. If they are planning to bathe the pet in the bath, suggest a rubber non-slip mat. This is better for the animal and also stops their claws damaging the bottom of the bath. If they plan to bathe the pet in the laundry trough, simply say no that is no good. There isn't enough protecting plaster walls in there and from all the rinsing and splashing you'll get a lot of water on your plaster and it will rot. If there is no bath in the property, suggest they get a big plastic tub of some kind and bathe the pet in the tub in the backyard. Or take it to the pet-wash facility that seems to be popping up at a lot of car-washes these days.

Be aware your insurance probably won't cover damage by pets because pets "are not malicious" so it is important your property manager keeps good records. Even things like the condition of exterior of timber window frames which some dogs like to chew.

I'd pop the rent up a bit for the presence of a dog, but not a cat.

 

If it's a staffy, I would decline!

I come from a veterinary background and can be quite destructive, in particular, it's very common for them to be storm phobic.

Any other breed and I would accept with the conditions of the carpets being cleaned, and pest control for fleas on leaving the premises.

The cat, I wouldn't have a problem with.