The Secret Feline: Leasing With Pets
The age-old saying - a pet is for life not just for Christmas - is in fact a true one: particularly worth taking note of if you’re living in a rental property. Today, C&G walk you through the ins and outs of owning a pet whilst renting a property. Disclaimer – this may quash your dreams of that furry four-legged present from Santa. It’s real-talk today!
Trying to explain to your property manager why you just squealed a distressed ‘meow’ during a routine inspection isn’t an easy situation to wriggle out of – so if you’re thinking of just hiding your furry friend under the doona every few months to cover your back, think again. On the whole, pets and rental properties don’t mix, so make sure you think carefully before you invest in a pet this Christmas. That said, it’s not totally impossible to negotiate allowing your pet to move in with an open-minded, animal-loving landlord - but it’s essential that you take steps to ensure your pets are welcome before you jump into a new lease.
Offer financial reassurance
Offering to increase your rent payments to cover the cost of the additional fluffy tenant could be sufficient reassurance to your landlord and property manager that you’re a responsible pet owner. While you are always required to properly clean your home prior to your departure, signing an agreement that you will remove any trace of the pet living in the property is another way to go.
Get the seal of approval
If you’ve lived in previous rented properties with your pet and are able to get proper references from previous landlords and property managers, you may have a higher chance of Tibbles getting the green light - it’s not completely unheard of.
Be sensible
It’s incredibly important to take the steps to pet approval before you invest time and money in a pet. Make sure you get every agreement in writing to avoid disagreements down the track, and most importantly - be sensible. Consider the property you live in (or the one you’re looking into leasing) and think about whether it’s appropriate for your pet – from both the landlord and the pet’s point of view. A landlord isn’t going to jump for joy at the prospect of an untrained Labrador puppy in an eighth floor apartment – and neither is the puppy.
If you’re lucky enough to have got the go ahead from both your property manager and landlord and are all set to invest your love in a new pet, these adoption centres in Melbourne are a great place to start. Rescuing pets in need of homes is far more rewarding than going to breeders:
Australian Animal Protection Society
Living with pets already? Tweet us your photos of your furry buddies enjoying Melbourne life @ChisholmGamonRE!