Just a reminder that none of these legislative changes have been passed as yet, but it’s likely that it will come into effect in the near future as the government try to align our legislation with other states nationally.

Pets can provide emotional and mental health benefits and are integral part of life for many people.
When tenants are unable to find suitable housing that will accept their pets, it can result in their pet being abandoned, surrendered, or put down.
Recent reforms in VIC, QLD, NT and ACT have removed the discretion of a landlord to deny a tenant’s request for a pet.
What do we currently have?
Currently landlords have the ability to specify “no pets” with all tenancies.
As a general point of advice, I always recommend to landlords to advertise “pets negotiable” where possible, as this allows tenants to be fully upfront with their pet ownership. Just because you advertise you will consider pets, does not mean you have to accept a tenant with pets.
One tactic we have seen in the last few years as the market grew tighter, was that a tenancy would be approved as no pets, and within the first month or so, the tenant would request to “adopt” an animal. Potentially said animal was always in existence, but tenants are getting more creative in order to secure housing for them and their pet family.
It also is very difficult to get housing with a pet, when sometimes children can be more destructive than any animal. I say this with authority, having both a dog and twin boys!
However I have never had my children draw on walls, leave grubby fingerprints on anything (that wasn’t immediately cleaned) or cause any damage to any property we have ever lived in. I think the applications should be considered as a whole, rather than any misconceptions about pets or children!
What might change?
It might well be that the option of specifying “no pets” will be removed.
There would be a small number of instances where it could be denied, such as strata rules, or not adequate fencing or appropriate space to keep the pet, but otherwise it would not be legally enforceable if a tenant is discovered to own a pet.
The general consensus seems to be that even if an application to have a pet were to be denied, the tenant could apply to SACAT and have this decision overruled, and the tenant allowed to keep the pet in the tenancy.
There was also the point to consider if a pet bond would be introduced.
Currently we cannot take a pet bond in SA, and WA is the only state to allow pet bonds of $260 for pets capable of carrying parasites.
Given this is not a national commonplace directive, it would seem unlikely that this would come into play.
What does it mean for you?
Always ensure you have adequate landlords insurance!
With the recent directive reducing bond amounts from 6 weeks to 4 weeks for most properties, this would be any property managers advice to landlords regardless.
If this change were to come in place, a good property manager would be able to mitigate the risks with regular inspections, and good communications with tenants to ensure any damage if it occurs, is rectified during the tenancy.
I know some landlords who have been burnt in the past by pet damage, and I have seen some extraordinary cases of damage, but these in my experience are few and far between.
The worst one I saw, the floor was literally, and I mean literally, covered in animal faeces. I had to throw out my shoes! It got to this stage because the former property manager did not do regular inspections, and had not been to the property for nearly a year, and the situation spiralled out of control.
In my experience, most pet owners are grateful to have housing with their pets, and will go over and above to ensure they do not fall into the stereotype of “pet owner” to the landlord.
The other benefit to landlords, is you will then have opened up your market when advertising for new tenants. Instead of only having 50% tenants to choose from (as data suggests 50% of tenants own a pet), you will have greater choice of 100% of the market when searching for a new tenant.
If you are worried about this potential change, and how you can best protect your investment, feel free to give me a call on 0426 241 676 or hello@tayloredproperty.com.au
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