Tenants want a pet cat

Tenants have emailed PM to get my permission for a pet cat. He says they want to know their options and if I would allow it. I don't mind if they get a cat but is there a clause or something they should sign to make sure any damage is rectified; or will the bond take care of that? Property is a shared house in Melbourne with carpet. I think pet bonds are illegal?

 

My tenants have a cat and there is a proviso in the leasing agreement that they have to steam clean the carpet when they go and to fix any minor damage at their cost - they were ok with that.

 

Pet bonds are only in WA unfortunately.

Check if your insurer covers pet damage (from memory EBM has the highest pet damage cover)

Essentially the ingoing condition report still stands though - eg any deviation from that needs to be rectified (doesnt really matter whether it was done by tenant, guest, pet, etc). So that covers the damage side of things from a legal standpoint.

 

Mandatory steam cleaning provisions are void and unenforceable, and tenants already have to fix damage they negligently or intentionally cause. So those terms seem a bit redundant.

I think that's right but in Victoria I think there's no limit to the bond if the rent amount is higher than $350/week or something like that, so you could in effect ask for more and call it a pet bond.

Maybe @Lil Skater can confirm?

 

Steam cleaning provision is allowed in Vic if i remember correctly, despite not allowed in most (all?) other states.

For the bond, they are allowed in Vic to negotiate a bond amount (if rent over 350) for a new tenancy. But this is for an existing tenancy, so they're not allowed to top it up til 5 yr mark.(but check with @Lil Skater as she is the resident Vic expert).

 

What are you going to do if (one or some) of the other resident/s are allergic to cat hair (as some are)?

 

Make sure they've got several strategically placed scratching posts and kitty litter trays around the house. We got a cat a few months ago and have been quite happy with her behaviour. Those two things have saved damage to both the house and our furniture.

In our new house we've gone out of our way to ensure all the flooring is reasonably 'pet proof'.

 

Cat urine is a special beast. Unlearned cleaners will simply deodorize and do standard steam/wet-dry vac, however this does not remove the smell, it simply masks it for a short time (few days tops) and then it comes back. If the timing of this is unfortunate eg. same day or day before an exit inspection, a Lessor/Agent can be tricked into believing the carpets or furniture for example smells and looks clean and fresh and sign off on the bond refund etc, however return a few days/weeks later to start showing people through and disaster awaits. An enzyme cleaning agent needs to be used as well for cat urine, and it can take many applications to get it to an acceptable level.

 

Meow. I have been summoned.

In short, yes - bond whatever you want over $350pw. This will change in the new legislation due mid 2020 though.

However, "pet bonds" themselves aren't a thing and technically you shouldn't be accepting more than one bond per tenancy.

Steam cleaning provision is presently allowed - but not necessarily enforceable unless there's visible damages.

Top up of bond is okay - however only after 5 years and with 5 more years to go (ie. It needs to become a long term lease). Also not relevant for a share house at all.

Also I like the point above about multiple tenants, how would that work?

 

I'd say yeah OK but pay $10K up front to be held for new carpet and painting when they leave. I wouldn't be satisfied with any amount of cleaning.

 

Probably reasonable to assume that Mrs Slocombe, or someone just like her, and her famous pet, would politely decline in signing your rental agreement, despite her long term employment with a well known department store.

 

For this to be acceptable to me - everyone in the house has to be accountable, with skin in the game for the pet. I can't see how that is possible in a share house. I can't see other residents taking action when they are home alone with a pet that belongs to another occupant.

I also would be reluctant to change the rules of the game when pets should have been declared up front.

 

Cats can be ******s. Scratching curtains and such. Do you have curtains? Even with scratching posts they can go for anything. I’d much rather dogs in my properties. I’d allow a cat because I’m very pro pets but I’d be telling my PM to instruct them to buy scratching posts. Depends on the property, if you have blinds and no carpet you’ll be fine.

We are temporarily renting and found many knocked us back because we have a dog. We only picked places with tiles and carpet (no floor boards), and we know we will have to steam clean and flea bomb (even though our dog doesn’t have fleas because we are responsible owners) when we leave.

 

And this is an example of a fantastic pet owner.

I really wish there was more of us, sick of being knocked back because we have a doggo..

 

I have 5 cats of my own AND do foster care. The most I had at one time was 17. I know cat behaviour very well.

Cats will mostly use a litter tray unless the tray is dirty, or there are not enough trays for the number of cats, or they are a kitten, learning the ropes - and even then they use the tray most of the time. Unless a cat is stressed or traumatised in some way, or has not used a tray before, they will always use a tray unless they are a male who wants to spray their territory.

Biozet will remove urine odours.

Now, even thought I am passionate about cats, I don't think I'd allow one in a share house situation. This is for the welfare of the cat, not the owner. What happens when the tenant with the cat leaves? Are they taking their animal with them? If going to another share home, can they find someone else who wants to live with their cat? Pets are for life....not a throw away commodity.

 

In the next few years in both NSW and Victoria doesn't the new Law say you have to allow pets in most cases?

 

Sorry bit off topic, but even now in NSW there is nothing in the Act that says a tenant can't keep a pet or even requires consent. In the standard lease agreement there is however a generic clause. The only reason I mention it is that I know of a case where the tenants crossed that clause out, agents didn't check before signing, and subsequently bought a pet during the lease and nothing owner could do to stop them having it. Just worth keeping an eye on. (Note: it wasn't us!

- Luke

 

Thanks for the comments. I've given the tenants permission to get a cat and mentioned they have to get a scratching post and look after it properly. I'm not sure which tenant will be the owner of the cat but assume they will all look after it. The tenants are 3 females who've been there 3 years and look afer the place so I'm hopeful..

 

Good work

 

I hope its not like my cat who tears up the carpet if she cant get into a bedroom on a cold night. I have had to cut up thick plastic and place it around the bottom of the door jambs ...