When my landlord called earlier this year to say my home had been sold to a developer, I said congratulations, wished her luck, and managed to hold it together until we hung up. Then I cried.
As both a long-term renter and pet owner, I knew the challenge that lay ahead – and I dreaded it. Since then, I have spent the better part of a year house-hunting. Trawling through thousands of online rental listings, there’s nothing quite so disheartening as ticking the ‘pet-friendly’ box in your search terms, only to have the list of available properties reduced by two-thirds.
I’ve faced more than a few rejections and, while no property agent will articulate it, several have hinted at the problem: I have pets.
With a 12-year rental history, good references from past landlords and two stable incomes, the process should have been a breeze. But even applying for sub-standard houses in suburbs I’d rather avoid, I’ve faced more than a few rejections and, while no property agent will articulate it, several have hinted at the problem: I have pets.
Last month, the Victorian government announced sweeping new changes to tenancy law that will take effect from 2018. These reforms include:
- Smaller and fairer bonds
- More secure leases with fewer rent hikes
- Better flexibility to make reasonable modifications
- An end to rent-bidding which pits prospective tenants against one another
- A ‘blacklist’ database of landlords and property agents who breach their legal obligations to tenants
- And, most importantly, the right to keep a pet
Here at Pets of the Homeless (POTH), we are obviously thrilled! Our very mission is founded on the principle that everyone has the right to enjoy the emotional support, companionship and health benefits of companion animals. With property ownership increasingly out of reach for many of us, these laws are great news for the one-in-four Victorians who rent. But the changes are promising for landlords and animals as well.
From next year, Victorian landlords can expect to see a broader range of applicants for their investment properties. Despite occasional anecdotes to the contrary, the reality is that good pet owners make better tenants. Renters with pets have a proven track record of responsibility and are more likely to opt for longer leases, offering landlords greater security and stability. And while most pet owners will agree that animals are often less destructive than people, the new laws will still require tenants to address “pet-related damage to the property that goes beyond fair wear and tear”.
It’s also expected that these laws will result in fewer animals being unnecessarily surrendered to shelters, abandoned, or euthanised. The RSPCA estimates that since 2015, around 15 percent of the dogs and cats in their care have been surrendered by pet owners unable to find suitable pet-friendly accommodation.
With property ownership increasingly out of reach for many of us, these laws are great news for the one-in-four Victorians who rent. But the changes are promising for landlords and animals too.
In our experience with pet owners facing homelessness, many more would sooner live on the street than accept accommodation without their best friend. A bond a strong as this should be cherished and protected. It is our hope that the new measures will mean improved housing stability and affordability, as well as a better quality of life for renters with pets.
Landlords also have much to gain from opening their properties to those of us who love our animals. I’ve been lucky: after many months of searching, I have found a new home with a landlord who has welcomed my pets. In return, she has a tenant who treats her house like a home, who knows how to repair a flyscreen door, and who’s staying for as long as possible. Soon the renters of Victoria will enjoy the same security, and the freedom to share their homes with the pets they love.
My pets, Mimly (left) and Veda (right), on moving day.
Written by Kara Smith
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