January 2024
Read Time: 3 Minutes
While there are definite advantages to allowing pets in rental properties there’s an extra layer of complexity when renting out properties in a body corporate. We look at the protocols.
There may be restrictions on keeping animals for landlords with unit title. It’s important to check the conditions of your body corporate rules.
The body corporate always has the power to veto whether pets are acceptable. The BC will usually have rules around the number of pets allowed per apartment and owners will be required to request permission before a pet is allowed to move in. Owners/tenants may need to sign a pet waiver form before receiving permission to have a pet in the property. The type and size of pet may also be relevant - pets or certain breeds of small dogs may be allowed while larger or more aggressive breeds may not be.
Finding a property that accepts pets can be challenging, so once tenants have found a home that allows their furry friends they are likely to stay longer. By allowing pets you are widening your pool of tenants to those who have pets as well as those who don't, and tenants with pets may even look at properties at a higher price point. However, you will need to follow body corporate rules before accepting pets in your rental property.
Read more about Why Should I Accept Pets In My Rental Property?
Even if your BC allows you to have pets in your rental property, you should also always include the conditions for having a pet in your Tenancy Agreement.
If you agree to allow pets, ensure your tenancy agreement states:
When agreeing to allow pets, any conditions you have must be written into the tenancy agreement. Both the tenant and the landlord should agree on any conditions before the tenancy begins.
New Zealand’s new coalition government has committed to introducing pet bonds to make it easier for tenants to have pets in rental properties.
Landlords are not currently allowed to charge extra bond for allowing a pet and the maximum bond a landlord can charge is the equivalent of four weeks' rent. However, when the new pet bond is introduced it will allow landlords to charge a higher bond than the usual four weeks' worth of rent to cover for damage caused by pets.
This bond may give landlords and body corporates greater peace of mind around allowing pets in rental properties as it offers an extra layer of protection against damage.
Even without the proposed pet bond, tenants are still responsible for any damage other than wear and tear done to the property caused intentionally or carelessly. This includes damage caused by pets.
Find out more about Rent, Tenants and Pets.
In summary, it’s worth checking the conditions of your body corporate rules before considering allowing pets in your investment property. If the body corporate gives you the green light, it’s a good idea to ask potential tenants to prepare a pet CV. A pet CV can go a long way towards ensuring you have peace of mind when renting your property to tenants with pets.
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