Finding a Rental with a Dog in Victoria

FreeAsABird on 29/01/2023 - 12:33
Last edited 29/01/2023 - 14:12 by 1 other user

We're looking for a rental in Victoria, and have a 2.5 year old dog. He's a great dog, super chilled, doesn't cause harm to property, carpet, floorboards etc. and doesn't bark or cause disturbances in general.

We are at a crossroads as to whether to include him on our rental applications, or to secure the rental then apply to have a pet. We're happy to offer $10-$20/week more in rent to increase our odds of securing the lease, but feel like this might be standard at the moment regardless of applicants having a pet.

It's tough because obviously including the dog on the rental means we're less likely to get accepted anywhere. Yes, there are some rentals that state 'pets allowed' but these are few and far between (maybe 1 in 100 properties in our search parameters will be 'pets allowed') and honestly the quality of these places is lacking.

For the tenants: have you navigated this before? What has been your experience?

For the landlords: is a pet on an application an immediate 'no'? If a tenant didn't declare their pet and then applied to have one once the lease was signed, did you challenge it and on what grounds?

Home & Garden Dog Rental

Comments

  • bobbified on 29/01/2023 - 13:20
    +14

    From a logical perspective, if there were two applicants with the same credentials but one had a pet and the other didn't, the owner would more than likely choose the one with no pet. Reason being, less risk of damage. This is not to say that all pets will cause damage. It's the simple fact that the owner doesn't know you and doesn't know your dog - all they have is what's on your application - so why take an unncessary risk if you don't need to?.

    • FreeAsABird on 29/01/2023 - 18:24

      Yes thats exactly the conundrum - however if our application to have our dog with us is rehected AFTER signing the lease, where does that leave us?

      • bobbified on 29/01/2023 - 18:36
        +1

        however if our application to have our dog with us is rehected AFTER signing the lease

        If your initial application doesn't disclose the fact that you have a pet and that gets approved (and you subsequently sign the lease), then you have to get written permission from the owner in a separate request. The owner needs to provide a good reason if they're going to reject the request. If that request is rejected, then you can apply to VCAT to appeal… or accept the decision not to have a pet on the property.

        Personally, I would be honest and upfront (rather than 'forcing' it) with the owner in the initial application. While there's lots of protections for renters now, it's still better to avoid pissing off the owner.

        • FreeAsABird on 29/01/2023 - 19:14

          Interesting, didn't consider that you can appeal the rejection however I would really like to avoid conflict

          I definitely agree with your sentiment re: forcing it, but as many others have pointed out - if they were faced with the choice of two applicants, all things equal but one party has a dog, they would choose the one without the dog (and I can see the sense in this)

          It's a stacked deck unfortunately and that is pushing us towards 'forcing it' although I struggle with this morally

          • bobbified on 30/01/2023 - 08:51

            @FreeAsABird:

            It's a stacked deck unfortunately and that is pushing us towards 'forcing it' although I struggle with this morally

            I don't think anyone is going to deny that it's difficult to declare it upfront and I personally think it's totally understandable why someone might try to 'force it'. But some owners wouldn't be so understanding and may end up kicking you out at the end of the first lease. Just something to keep in mind if you plan on staying at the next place long term.

        • mhz on 30/01/2023 - 08:38

          As somone who is both and landlord and a renter with a dog, I would say its better to ask for forgiveness than permission.
          I don't discriminate against my tenants if they have a dog, but its far too easy for a landord to do it and in the past I never got any places I applied for when I had my dog on the application. The second I took the dog off the application I miraculousy was successful.
          My last rental they found out I had a dog and just made me sign an extra bit of paper to say I would properly clean, fumigate and flea bomb the house when I left.

          • bobbified on 30/01/2023 - 08:54

            @mhz:

            I would say its better to ask for forgiveness than permission.

            I don't disagree, but how it ends up later depends on each individual landlord. If you're lucky and get an understanding landlord, then perfect. Things might just not be so comfortable if you get a petty one.

  • AustriaBargain on 29/01/2023 - 13:21
    +11

    I wouldn't rent to a dog owner unless my house were already kind of shabby. I bet a dog can do a lot more than a bond's worth of damage.

    You could pretend to buy the dog after you move into a place, I don't see how a REA can disprove it.

    • Thatbargainhunter on 29/01/2023 - 14:58
      +6

      And a baby can do way more than a dog and usually does.

      • AustriaBargain on 29/01/2023 - 15:24
        +16

        Then I wouldn't rent to a baby either.

        • Ghost47 on 29/01/2023 - 15:50
          +3

          Children can also do damage and draw on walls etc.

          • djsweet on 29/01/2023 - 19:10

            @Ghost47: As long as it’s only pencil it’s all good. Best not to let them get hold of a pen or a marker, that’s when the carnage begins.

      • brendanm on 29/01/2023 - 18:38

        Hahaha

      • djsweet on 29/01/2023 - 19:11
        +1

        I doubt that lol
        Unless your definition of baby also includes toddlers. They can enact untold devastation on a property.

        • jjjaar on 29/01/2023 - 23:07
          +1

          True. So just accept tenants with a baby but kick them out before said baby becomes toddler?

    • mhz on 30/01/2023 - 08:38
      +1

      I've seen kids do more damage to a property than a dog

  • Stopback on 29/01/2023 - 13:30

    Look for landlords that have animals.

    They will accept dogs.

    • AustriaBargain on 29/01/2023 - 13:37
      +6

      How do you go about finding out of a landlord has animals?

      • Ghost47 on 29/01/2023 - 15:46
        +5

        Hmm maybe stalk them on FB a bit, figure out where they live, sit outside their house with a pair of binoculars. All possible ways to figure out if they have pets.

  • Barca123 on 29/01/2023 - 13:47
    +3

    It's probably best to be honest upfront about having a pet, that way you won't be stressing about whether your pet application will be accepted/rejected afterwards.
    If you are going through an agency, best to ask for their advice in this situation as they are knowledgeable.

  • 7ekn00 on 29/01/2023 - 14:26
    +2

    Dog pee gets everywhere and embeds in cornices / runners / floorboards / curtains / etc and the pee smell sticks around forever!
    (I doubt the renter will be prepared to cover the extensive deep clean costs to remove these smells)

    Plus plenty of other damage like scratches on doors and screens when they want to go out, etc!
    (I doubt the renter will be prepared to constantly maintain these structures)

    Other things to consider are things like:
    - what are you going to do while you are not at home in a rental without doggy doors? - risk of pee / poo and scratches
    etc

    As much as you proclaim a pet "never relieves itself inside" - I am willing to bet it happens a couple times per lease …

    • Thatbargainhunter on 29/01/2023 - 15:00
      +1

      I'd be prepared to cover any damage from my pets. I already know I will have to replace the glass to the sliding doors.

      But then I've also improved and value added to the property. The backyard was barren and I have landscaped into a nice backyard at my expense.

      • dasher86 on 29/01/2023 - 19:27
        +1

        What happens when the landlord wants the backyard back the way it was, or doesn't like your landscaping?

        • Thatbargainhunter on 29/01/2023 - 20:32
          +1

          I was told I could do what I wanted when I moved in.

    • FreeAsABird on 29/01/2023 - 19:24
      +1

      Isn't that what the bond is for though? Regardless of whether the renter is prepared or not, it's part of the contract and I'm sure the bond would cover a very good steam clean + any special treatments etc.

      Having said that, peeing inside and scratching doors + screens is not a problem for our dog but I can see the landlord wanting to consider all eventualities…

      RE: damage caused by leaving a dog home alone - again any damage is covered by the normal bond, and would be apparent at routine inspections that landlords/agents usually conduct (around the 3 month mark IIRC?). At that point the landlord would have cause to evict or ask for more money etc.

      Also our dog does not scratch on doors/screens when we're out, but we definitely know some dogs that do.
      Actually we have a 'dog door' that fits in the door jamb of our current place, so that when we're out for a longer period we can install it quickly and let him come and go as he pleases - this avoids any anxiety/howling and risk of damage from being left outside (we know it works because we also have a webcam to keep an eye on him). The same system could easily be slipped into the door at a rental

      • 7ekn00 on 29/01/2023 - 19:32

        And here lays the problem, the "bond" will never cover such damages and cleaning (talking from experience - I will never allow pets ever again), and a landlord is generally not allowed to charge more bond for "pets" (so why even take on that risk?)

        Also our dog does not scratch on doors/screens when we're out

        In the current environment in which they are in, you can not guarantee that for a new environment!

        install it quickly and let him come and go as he pleases

        Which also makes the properly far less secure

        I will never take the risk again, and I am betting most landlords that have previously allowed pets won't again either :/

        • FreeAsABird on 29/01/2023 - 21:29

          Thanks for sharing your POV - it's becoming clearer to me thay including a pet on an application is a big no no.

          Are you in Vic? If so how can you be sure that you won't have a tenant with a pet in the future?

  • Thatbargainhunter on 29/01/2023 - 14:56

    They can't refuse a pet with the new laws (in Victoria and Queensland) once requested, unless it's unreasonable to keep the pet in that type of rental (or. Keeping a cattle dog ina inner city studio).

    So don't tell them and then once you have moved in, put the application in.

  • djones145 on 29/01/2023 - 14:59

    maybe have two applications for each house
    one as mr john s with pets
    and one as mr j Smith without pets

  • jolee3 on 29/01/2023 - 17:39
    +4

    I've never refused a tenant with a pet, but in saying that if I had two identical applications (circumstances, income, etc.) I would likely pick the one without a pet. My current tenant actually requested permission to adopt a dog last week (they've been there about 1 year) and I said OK provided they pay to repair if any damage is done and the property is adequately cleaned when vacating, pet smells etc.

    I did have one tenant who declared a dog, and one day when we went to repair something we found they also had a snake! That definitely wasn't on the application.

    • FreeAsABird on 29/01/2023 - 18:30

      Maybe the snake's name was Dog….

      I really appreciate that you're an understanding landlord! Are you in vic? If you want to reject a dog/pet request in Vic you need to submit to VCAT. Just wondering what a landlord could say in the event they wanted to reject the request - as far as I understand it needs to be more specific than concerns about general wear and tear etc.

      • jolee3 on 29/01/2023 - 22:54
        +2

        We're in NSW, so I think the rules are probably different. We've never even looked into it because we wouldn't say no…if we've rented it out to them then it's their home, so they should be able to have pets if they want to. My husband is a dog person so he wouldn't dream of depriving someone of that.

        Good luck though, unfortunately I don't think all landlords are pet people! I think it very much depends on how in-demand the area you're looking at is.

  • Trying2SaveABuck on 29/01/2023 - 19:38
    +1

    i dont think you can be 'rejected' on the grounds of having a pet in Victoria anymore i might be wrong though

    • Quantumcat on 29/01/2023 - 23:00
      +4

      If there is more than one application the landlord can just choose the one without the pet, so there's no way of proving they were rejected due to the pet.

  • jm7 on 30/01/2023 - 02:52
    +2

    I'd suggest not including your dog on the application, especially in the current market. If your dog is well behaved and won't cause damage, I'd remove all traces of the dog when there's a routine inspection. I have done this previously and had no issues - you get plenty of notice before inspections occur.
    It's sad really, because most people would like to be honest but the reality is you'll be discriminated against (despite the legislation).

  • hueylewis on 30/01/2023 - 07:20
    +1

    "Finding a rental, with a Dog."

    First let the dog sniff something belonging to the rental. The let him go. Bloodhounds work best at this task.

  • Boogerman on 30/01/2023 - 08:16
    +1

    Don't state it on your application.
    If they find out, say you bought it after moving in. If its proven you lied on your application, it doesn't matter because having a pet isn't legal grounds for the landlord booting you out!!

    • krisp on 30/01/2023 - 08:36
      +2

      that most likely guarantees your rent to be not extended beyond the original contract term.

      • Boogerman on 30/01/2023 - 08:44

        Better than not having a place to rent.
        Additionally, you can extend beyond the lease term (which can be 24 months+ during negotiations) by filing objections to vacate via the relevant authority/tribunal!!!!!!!

        • Spending2Much on 30/01/2023 - 08:57

          No wonder the rents keeps increasing…
          My landlord is great and I've only had a couple rent increases and what I'd consider minimal at best…but then, I've not caused them any grief or tried to deceive them in any way.
          I can understand why, when tenants have that kind of behaviour, that landlords do increase to the maximum.

          • Boogerman on 30/01/2023 - 10:17

            @Spending2Much: Rents have increased because of neoliberalism & the enrichment of the 'Boomer' generation
            Its unfortunate that the wilful ignorance of younger generations enable it, often by gobbling up whatever their selfish parents taught them

            • Ghost47 on 30/01/2023 - 14:13

              @Boogerman: From what I’ve read in the news it seems desperate tenants are offering rents above the advertised rates. The more idiots that do that kind of thing, the more rents will go up.

        • Quantumcat on 30/01/2023 - 11:03

          You want a good reference to get your next place. This is how you could end up homeless.

          • Boogerman on 30/01/2023 - 12:24

            @Quantumcat: References don't matter any more. All agents want to see is a consistent history of paying on time

          • Jolakot on 30/01/2023 - 18:53

            @Quantumcat: I've never heard of anyone asking for a reference from your last rental, is that an American thing?

            Worst case you just say you're moving out of home, what are they going to do about it?

            • Quantumcat on 30/01/2023 - 21:15

              @Jolakot: Real estates contact the real estate of the previous property you were in when they are doing their background checks. It is part of their due diligence to make sure the tenants are OK and aren't going to destroy their client's property. It is harder to get a property to rent if you haven't rented before as there isn't that reference they can check.

  • Spending2Much on 30/01/2023 - 08:31
    +1

    Is it worth it, possibly not having the lease renewed, after 12 months and having to move again, by not declaring up front?
    I'm not sure they have to give a reason for not renewing the lease?
    "They're selling the place, moving in themselves etc"

  • TimmyTims on 30/01/2023 - 13:18

    I'd leave it off the application and hide all evidence of the dog for the first 6 or so months of the rental. Then mention to the landlord/ get the REA to pass on the message, that a close friend is moving overseas and asked for you to take the dog instead of it going to the pound. You can hype up that the dog is well-trained already and housebroken and will only live outside.

    Remember it is an effort for the landlord to terminate your lease at the end of the period and relet. Don't let the dog be the reason they want to relet. Move all dog stuff outside during inspections, clean up all poops and air out the house beforehand

    I got a rental with my 2 dogs in 2017 by searching one of those "minus the agent websites" where the landlord can list their house on the big property sites. I was able to discuss things with the LL directly. I mentioned I have 2 short hair dogs that would only be outside, they of course, weren't and slept in the bedroom with me. I was there for 3 years before I had to move due to excessive rent increases, dogs weren't an issue until the LL tried to claim our full bond, but not because they caused any damage. The LL claimed since she was disabled and during one of the inspections, there were dog droppings, we were purposely causing a hazard to her and she could trip, so us tenants were discriminating against disabled people and therefore all her claims should be taken as the truth

  • 2esc on 30/01/2023 - 14:39

    Depending on location it can be exceptionally hard to find a house even if you dont have a dog. Its not morally right to leave that information off your application but a roof over your head is pretty important and i think after seeing how hard its been for people to get a house at least in regional Victoria you may have to.

    I perfectly understand why a landlord would be reluctant to rent to a tenent with a pet. Many years ago my uncle had a tenant who used one of the bedrooms as a kennel the carpets and even the floorboards had to be replaced as well as lower sections of plaster, door nearly scratched through, window sill and curtains needed replaced the dogs were rarely let out apparently so they had to do their business in the bedroom. Yes he had insurance but it was his property.

    • Quantumcat on 30/01/2023 - 16:29
      +1

      Did your uncle do regular inspections? I'd be surprised if that much damage had occurred in only 3 or 6 months

    • Jolakot on 30/01/2023 - 19:09

      Seems pretty counter-productive doesn't it?

      My experience with dozens of different tenants over the years is that dog owners who declare them during the application process are far more likely to be responsible owners than those who don't

      So by rejecting people who proactively declare the dog, you're self-selecting for irresponsible owners who will trash the place while gambling on the hope that they'll never own a dog at all

      On top of that, the people who already have an adult dog are less likely to adopt a puppy or dangerous/aggressive breed, which is where most of the destruction comes from

  • Euphemistic on 30/01/2023 - 20:58

    He's a great dog, super chilled, doesn't cause harm to property, carpet, floorboards etc.

    That’s your opinion. Non dog people will have different ideas on floorboard damage (claws) and carpet (dog smell). Kinda like smokers don’t notice nicotine stains and that horrid stale smoke smell.

    If I were a landlord (used to be) I’d only consider an outdoor only dog. We did have a tenant that applied for a dog afterwards. Ended up costing us a premature new fence.

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