Believe it or not, Landlords have pets too! Their pets don't usually claw the carpets, pull at the curtains and dig holes through the lawn. Experience tells us that Tenant's don't usually keep pets that behave that way either. So where are all the "Pet Friendly" rental homes?

A little known fact is that, whether a rental home is advertised as "pet friendly" or not, chances are, having a pet or pets (plural) on the lease can be negotiated.

Don't be fooled by that last statement. If you have a kitten or a puppy still learning it's way in life while it destroys everything in it's path, it's going to need a very specific type of environment to grow in. These properties can be rare and/or expensive in the private rental property market. But for mature well behaved pets there are ample rental properties that would suit them.

Below are the considerations that Agents take when negotiating for pets on a lease.

SUITABILITY

Mostly the question is not "is the house pet friendly?", it is usually "is the property suitable for the type of pet that I am keeping or want to keep?". Check out the advertised information and go for a drive past properties if you have their addresses. That should start to narrow down your list. 

HISTORY

Noone knows your pet better then you do. You can prepare a 'pet profile' to include with a tenancy application. References from your local Vet, Real Estate Agents, Housesitters and Neighbours can also be helpful. 

COMPARABLE APPLICATIONS

Applying for a tenancy at a specific address can be like rolling a dice. In any case, it's better to get a completed application in early. Pets can make an application less desireable but excluding them from an application or providing misleading  information can cause much bigger issues. The best bet is to be upfront and honest about your pets behaviour. If you've genuinely considered your pet in your decision to move house, chances are a pet loving Landlord is willing to consider them too.