Renting To Tenants With Pets

Reasons to consider renting to a pet owner

1. Pet owning tenants are generally willing to pay more rent.

2. Pet friendly properties rent faster.

3. Responsible pet owners can make excellent tenants.

4. Tenants with pets want to hold onto longer leases.

5. No more problems with “hidden” pets.

6. Most Australians feel their pet is part of the family and care for them as such.

7. “Considering pets” will not lock you into a pet-particular outcome.

8. Pet application and agreements forms are available.

Myth Busting

MYTH: Pets create damage to properties

FACT: US data showed that there was little, if any difference in damage between tenants with or without pets. Interestingly, the cost of damage from pets was much smaller than the costs associated with tenants with children.

MYTH: A second pet is double trouble

FACT: Tenants with more than one pet need not be seen as a problem. Most pets, including dogs and cats, are social creatures, and companionship is important for their wellbeing.

Keeping two pets can help alleviate issues associated with boredom and loneliness.

MYTH: Strata properties are not suitable for pets

FACT: Dogs and cats can be kept successfully in small spaces and cats, in particular, can adapt well to an indoor or high-rise environment.

Not all strata schemes permit pets, so it is important for landlords and managing agents to check that the bylaws allow pets and whether any particular approvals are required before agreeing to rent the property to a pet owning tenant.

MYTH: Bigger pets mean bigger problems

FACT: The size of a pet is not related to how well it will be suited to a particular living environment.

Experts emphasise that it is the owner/pet relationship which results in socially responsible behaviour and activities i.e. toilet training, manners, exercise, care etc.

Experts also look to the temperament and degree of socialisation of the pet.

Some landlords and agents stipulate that a dog has to weigh less than 10kg or be ‘small’.

However this is very subjective and many larger dogs tend to be very quiet and docile.

Real estate photography isn’t easy. Use this checklist to get your listing ready for photography.

General Remove

Always maximize space to create a larger look and feel, remember less is more!

o Family pictures and personalised ornaments o Memorabilia o Animal food bowls, bedding and toys

WINDOWS AND MIRRORS o Free of streaks

Floors

Remove these items to enhance perception of floor space size in photos.

o All rubbish bins out of sight o Remove rugs and floor mats

LAMPS, LIGHTS AND FANS

o Turn on all lights and lamps o Turn off ceiling fans o Replace any faulty light globes (very important for dusk/twilight shoots)

LOUNGE/LIVING AREA

CLEAR o TV remotes o Video game equipment o Any visible electrical cords o Books, magazines and additional clutter o Pedestal fans o Keep any cushions to a minimum and neatly arrange

Tip: If you have homewares or a nice coffee table book you can display them tastefully on the table.

Tip: Keep in mind that rooms can look different depending on the height of your shot, so take a few different angles and use your favorite. This is especially important in areas like bedrooms, kitchen, dining areas, and also balconies with a view.

Bathrooms

SHOWER o Shower screen free of streaks o Keep toilet lid down

REMOVE o Remove washing baskets o Rubbish bins o Tissue boxes o Used soap dishes o Bath mats off floor o Remove products lying around

Tip: Put out freshly co-ordinated towels, neatly double folded looks best. Use matching colors for most attractive results.

Kitchen And Dining Areas

REMOVE o Put away dishes o Hide small appliances o Bench tops clutter o Tea towels

Kettles and coffee machines are okay as long as they don’t clutter your bench space. The idea is to style your space like a display home.

APPLIANCES o Clean all appliances o Free of streaks o Turn on oven light for extra ambiance o Refrigerator – remove magnets, kids’ drawings, fingerprints and calendars

Tip: For that professional touch turn all taps to the centre, so that they are all matching – basins, showers and baths. Remember all taps including bathrooms, the kitchen and outdoor areas.