PETS IN RENTAL PROPERTIES

If you’re asking yourself the question, “are you allowed to have pets in a rental property?”, keep reading as we breakdown the new laws.

Whether you’re a current or soon-to-be tenant in Queensland, there are new laws concerning both tenants and landlord coming into effect from the 1st of October that you need to know. Amongst a few changes to Queensland rental legislation comes a new law making it harder for landlords to ban pets in rental properties.

Where previously landlords could advertise their property as not pet-friendly or refuse applications including pets with no specific reason, come October 1, this will change. Tenants will still need to seek approval from the landlord to allow a furry family member to move into the rental property, however every single request will need to be considered in its individual circumstances and only denied on reasonable grounds.

At Code Property Group, we’ve been assisting tenants with pets with their applications long before these new laws were announced. We believe in helping everyone put their best foot forward to ensure they find a home that’s right for them. Below are our top tips for submitting an application that includes your furry friend:

  1. Include a pet reference on your application – this should be someone who can testify to the nature of your pet and who can reassure a landlord that your pet has no history of damage or issues with the neighbours in previous rental properties.
  2. Include a photo of your pet – you should treat each rental application the same as you would a job application and therefore making it as personable as possible works in your favour!
  3. Add a description of your pet – this should include breed, age, temperament, habits and routine.
  4. Provide a copy of your tenant insurance that notes your pet - if required.
  5. Register your pet - list your pet’s council registration details on your application.

Following these tips will give you a good chance in having your four-legged friend approved by most landlords but there are no guarantees. Landlords are allowed to deny applicants with pets under circumstances such as: existing body corporate by-laws, inappropriate building size or security or the pet is “dangerous”, such as a venomous snake. However, Landlords are required to respond to a tenant’s pet request within 14 days and where there is no response, approval is implied.

Want to know more about pets in rental properties or have any tenancies questions in general? Contact our leasing team today.