A tenants guide to pets in a rental property
Tips for Tenants
Property owners and managers want to minimise damage
Tips for Tenants
Property owners and managers want to minimise damage
to their building and outside spaces, so if you are intending
on keeping a pet, you will need to reassure them this will
not happen.
Provide as much detail about your pet(s) as possible;
Provide details of the pet’s breed (whether it sheds
hair, is hypoallergenic, is large or small, etc.) with
confirmation that is not listed under the Dangerous Wild
Animals Act or Dangerous Dogs Act.
Include a profile of your pet including whether it has
been treated for fleas, when it was vaccinated, if it has
been neutered, whether it is microchipped, and if it has
been trained.
Demonstrate your pet’s past behaviour by providing a
reference from a recent landlord.
Provide details of who will care for the pet in an
emergency.
Not only will this extra information reassure your landlord, it
will also help you decide if keeping a pet in the property is
the right thing to do.
Agree to an additional pet clause
You may need to agree an additional pet clause and/or
a higher rent to cover you and your landlord.
You may also
need to agree on specific tenant responsibilities such as
extra garden maintenance, the rectification of any
scratch-marks and pest control with regards to fleas.
Put the landlord’s mind at ease
Offer to meet the landlord with your pet so you can provide
reassurance regarding the behaviour and training of your
animal.
Acknowledge you will be a responsible pet owner
and that you will be responsible for rectifying any damage
caused by the pet during and at end of tenancy.
It is up to
you to return the property to the same condition it was in at
start of tenancy (allowing for fair wear and tear).
Don’t breach the tenancy agreement
Whilst it may be tempting to sneak a pet into your property,
DON’T!
If your landlord or letting agent has clearly
prohibited pet ownership in the tenancy agreement, you
would be in breach of contract. If you ignore the terms of
your lease, this could result in eviction.
Instead, it’s wise to communicate with your landlord, ideally
face-to-face, to discuss your particular situation.
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