Would you let your tenants build a chicken coop? (suburban area)

Discussion in 'Property Management' started by jaybean, 27th Jan, 2016.

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  1. jaybean

    jaybean Well-Known Member

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    As the title says, it's a suburban area. Not even close to being rural or semi-rural. Coles is 300mtrs up the road. It's your run of the mill suburb.

    One of my tenants installed one with a bunch of chickens without asking permission. I've been told that if not carefully looked after, they can attract rats and other vermin.

    What would you do?
     
  2. Westminster

    Westminster Tigress at Tiger Developments Business Member

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    My tenants asked and I said yes and charged a pet bond which they were ok with as chicken can get lice and the coop/area may need to be treated after they leave.
    I've also had a tenant with a pet snake with a pet bond.
    Not asking is a bit rude.
    Providing it complies with Council regulations which is usually sets a maximum on the number of chickens and absolutely no roosters then I'm ok with it.
    I would be peeved that they didn't ask permission though.
     
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  3. jaybean

    jaybean Well-Known Member

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    I'm particularly upset because apparently they dug up the vegetable garden to do this. We had spent money on anti-weed matting and other stuff.
     
  4. Chilliblue

    Chilliblue Well-Known Member

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    Tip @jaybean Don't get emotional about your IP's.
     
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  5. Xenia

    Xenia Well-Known Member

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    Ask them to make good at end of lease.
    Or have it quoted to be restored the way it was including removing coupe.

    If they are established with their chickens, they may stay longer and reduce vacancies for you.

    We've had chickens for years. They are great animals to have.
     
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  6. Depreciator

    Depreciator Well-Known Member

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    Yep, there is a good chance the tenants will stay. That's a good thing if building a chook house is their only transgression.
    I have had chooks for years and I'm only 200 metres to the nearest Woollies.
    The odd rat isn't a big deal - cities are full of them.
     
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  7. Peter_Tersteeg

    Peter_Tersteeg Mortgage Broker Business Member

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    If the property is suitable for the type of pet a tenant wants, I'll always let them have the pet. It makes for more loyal tenants.
     
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  8. Jamie Moore

    Jamie Moore MORTGAGE BROKER - AUSTRALIA WIDE Business Member

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    Personally - I wouldn't have an issue with it. If there good tenants - then I'd want to keep them on as long as possible. Not allowing them the coop might encourage them to leave.

    Cheers

    Jamie
     
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  9. Jess Peletier

    Jess Peletier Mortgage Broker & Finance Strategy, Aus Wide! Business Member

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    I agree, I'd be fine with it as long as they remove and rectify when they leave.
     
  10. HUGH72

    HUGH72 Well-Known Member

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    Chicken s@#£, feathers, smell and noise... not on a standard size block in a suburban street. I don't think many/any councils allow roosters either and limit the number of chickens.
    Okay if its a acreage property.
     
  11. Biz

    Biz Well-Known Member

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    I would let them build it then I would fence it off battle axe style and rent it out separate.
     
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  12. gman65

    gman65 Well-Known Member

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    ..and charge them two dozen eggs a week interest!
     
  13. BigKahuna

    BigKahuna Well-Known Member

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    Get your managing agent to deal with it. He/she can tell them that it can stay, providing the vegetable garden and the weed mat is restored on their departure. Your managing agent can also tell them, nicely, that they need to ask permission before they make changes to the backyard or to the house.

    I love chickens. They also make great pets for children. That being said, there is a lot more work than you think. You need to clean out the chicken poo constantly and, if you feed them food scraps, you get rats. Rats are scary.
     
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  14. HUGH72

    HUGH72 Well-Known Member

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    They also attract Pythons, at least my next door neighbours do.:eek:
     
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  15. willair

    willair Well-Known Member Premium Member

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    Nothing at all,we have a few mobile chicken coops that have been left by former tenants ,you just move the pen around the yard,if fact those chicken coops have maybe added rental value
    when people asks can we have laying hens,and just say there are the mobile ones already there..
     
  16. WattleIdo

    WattleIdo midas touch

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    Won't hurt the vegie garden in the long run - lots of manure. Cats deal with mice and rats.
     
    Last edited: 29th Jan, 2016
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  17. Xenia

    Xenia Well-Known Member

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    Lol I love rats.
    My kids keep them as pets

    Chickens are actually aggressive animals they will kill and eat mice and rats if they can catch them.

    Cats are better hunters though.
     
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  18. dabbler

    dabbler Well-Known Member

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    Must be a Melbourne thing, I was surprised at the amount of places that had chickens when I looked at places there, anyway, should not be a drama if no roosters, so let them have it, but let them know they must ask before making any changes or new pets etc in future.
     
  19. Darlinghurst Boy

    Darlinghurst Boy Well-Known Member

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    I did think u had to get Council petmission
    ?
    Neighbors may complain to Council but i guess thats not your business.

    The only thing is it will stink on hot days...hate to be living next door.
     
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  20. Bayview

    Bayview Well-Known Member

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    Wouldn't care. Thousands of folks have chooks right under everyone's nose all over Aus.

    As long as they paid their rent on time, and removed the coop when they leave.

    Add the coop removal into the lease - or it comes off the bond to get it removed.
     

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