Should I allow tenants to keep a pet?

Obedience training, vet bills, countless ‘mistakes’ and unconditional love. That’s pet ownership a feature of more Australian households than ever before. The Australian Veterinary Association conducted a study in 2013 to estimate that there were 25 million pets in Australia and that 5 million of the 7.6 million household had a pet.

Yikes! That’s 65% of all household in Australia that have a pet (and maybe more than one). In fact, you may have a pooch, friendly feline or feathered friend in your household. This also means that 65% of all tenants have pets.

So as a landlord, should you allow pets? Every landlord is faced with this very important question as they wonder if a tenant with a pet may damage their property more than a tenant without a pet. After almost three decades of managing properties in the south-west of Sydney we can say there is no evidence this assumption is based on fact.

Certainly we have occasionally seen properties infested with fleas after a tenant with a pet vacates. Equally, we have seen properties left dirty and damaged by tenants without a pet. Luckily such circumstances are rare.

Importantly, however, this simple fact should be considered; if you elect not to allow tenants to have a pet you eliminate two-thirds of all available tenants in the marketplace, any one of whom may be your perfect tenant. When you turn your back on two-thirds of the market place you also extend the time it will take to find a tenant, perhaps by as much as two weeks. Two weeks rent, at $450.00 per week, is $900.00. A substantial loss for the sake of finding a tenant (who may still not be perfect) without a pet.

In all circumstances be assured Prudential Real Estate staff will always abide by your instructions. If you say you would like a tenant without a pet we will diligently pursue your goal until we find the best tenant for your property. Our primary aim is the success of your investment and for that reason we would be concerned about a decision that may cause you to lose two weeks rent.

More pet facts from the Australian Veterinary Association website ... In 2013 there were estimated to be more than 25 million pets in Australia, with nearly 5 million of Australia's 7.6 million households home to pets. At 63%, Australia has one of the highest rates of pet ownership in the world. Dogs are the most common pet, with 39% of households owning a dog. There are estimated to be 4.2 million pet dogs in Australia; 19 dogs for every 100 people. Cats are the second most common pet, with 29% of households owning a cat. There are estimated to be 3.3 million pet cats in Australia; 15 cats for every 100 people. Fish are the most numerous pet type, with a total population of 10.7 million. The number of birds is estimated to be 4.8 million, with a further 2.2 million other pets including small mammals and reptiles.