Tenant request to keep a Pup

My new tenanat after 1 month asked for a door screen and i provided one.
Now its her 3rd month and she requests to have a pup.
What should be my concerns/ considerations before I say yes or no,

Thanks

 

What size dog, how's the rental market. You can get an additional pet bond.

 

What breed of dog?

Other things to consider are whether the property is renovated or not (if not, it's probably no big deal if a pet is added to the mix).

Is there adequate fencing or will that be the next request?

If you consider granting the pet, also talk to your PM about renegotiating the lease with an increased rental amount.

Be aware that insurers don't tend to cover pet damage since pets are "not malicious".

 

Consider the following:

- Is the property suitable for a puppy
- Can you accept the possibility of pet damage

 

Only in WA

Why is this relevant to your question?

Have they been good tenants? Have they been clean / tidy generally? Do you have proper fencing around the property?

Generalising a bit, but I like accepting pets. If the tenants are clean and tidy generally their pets will be too and pets usually encourage tenants to stay longer at the property, leading to better cashflow.

 

If the property can accommodate a dog, ie back yard, no strata restrictions etc the only descision you need to make is whether you are happy to have a dog there.

Landlord insurance does cover pet damage if it occurs.

 

Consider the extra damage/cleaning/smell.

Jack the rent up. Get them to steam clean the carpet every 2 months and it will be inspected. Pups don't come cheap.

Fairdinkum, a screen door one month and a pup the next. What are they, bogans?

 

I've had a tenant in a townhouse for 1.5 years, reliable payer and no issues.
Had the request 2 months ago for a puppy. We decided on balance that actually this would lock in the tenant as his options for renting would reduce if he looked elsewhere with the dog.
New lease + increased rent = everyone a winner.

 

Depends on the dog.

I usually allow them - tenants generally end up staying longer because moving around with a dog is a pain.

They usually end up doing less damage then kids

Cheers

Jamie

 

Just be thankful the tenant was upfront and asked.
Usually a pet just appears which they are minding or some other story.
Marg

 

I'm all for pets - so I would try to say yes if you can and agree with the comments that it will probably encourage the tenant to stay longer. But puppies also make a mess and chew everything, so consider the carpets and furniture/furnishings in the house. Also, get the name and breed of dog put on the lease if you can, as this will help if you need to claim landlord pet insurance (so I have been told)....

Try to find out the breed of puppy - it will grow into a bigger dog - so worth knowing size, if it will bark, scare or annoy neighbours. How close are the neighbours? Are the tenants home during the day or will the dog cry all day and be lonely and then the neighbours complain? Also, make sure the tenant agrees to manage and tidy up the yard.

Also, if the property is in a strata title, you may need to get approval from the body corporate.

Based on what you said, the tenant has the possibility to become demanding of you (requesting screen door, puppy etc.), so maybe ask the PM what they think of it (if you have one)

 

I am very thankful to all. Got so much of tips that I wouldn't have thought by myself.

 

Also see if they have had pets before and ask them how where they intend to house the dog when they are at work.

Previous tenant got a dog, never had one before - damaged the place a little, simply because they didn't have time and didn't know what to do.

Pets are no different to babies - you need to care and not neglect them, which unfortunately some people do

 

This thread kinda reads that you will be supplying the pup

Find out what breed, as others have said, some of them blighters are expensive and will cost you a packet if you agree to supply a pup

 

I'm a bit of a sucker for pets - have a cat, two dogs and two horses myself, and think how awful life would be without pets.

Really comes down to whether the property is suitable (ie, is the living area carpet or tiled for puppy toilet training?) ...

 

You could specify that it is an 'outdoors only' dog and have the rental agreement amended to include this. As others have said, a pet can be less damage than children. My main concerns would be around yard damage and soiled carpets, but if it's an unrenovated property, many not be as much an issue, and the tenant may stay on longer. As you mention, the requests appear to be coming, but it may be just about setting up the house for their liking (especially if its their first place out of home and want to set it up for themselves). If they see you as a flexible LL, it will put them in a better frame and they are more likely to stay as opposed to if you say no to the requests, they may not be as willing to keep the place tidy and will be out as soon as possible to somewhere they see more to their liking (whether it is or not). You could consider the request for a little while, you don't need to come back that day.

 

Whilst I am all for pets, I would tend to be on the fence for a puppy. They have not yet been toilet trained, chew everything etc. If they bring a dog from a previous property I'm all for it, depending on size, health issues, training.

 

I wouldn't allow Clive Palmer to occupy the place.

 

Nor Ed Barton given he died 90 years ago

 

If it has a yard suitable yes, if its going to be 98% inside No. I see chewed doors, jambs, balustrading, large scratches where the dog has consistently jumped on things. Are the neighbours close ?? Be mindful of noise, odour, etc. If its a unit No thanks, Cats can be just as bad as they tend to spray so do be prepared.