Sunshine Coast Daily
Monday 27/4/2009
Page: 16 Section: General News Region: Maroochydore QLD Circulation: 21,170 Type: Regional Size: 575.82 sq.cms. Published: MTWTFSBrief: CENTURY 21 Page 1 of 3
Landlords praise pets
in rentals
Reliable animal owners buck the trend
By ALAN LANDER
RENTERS with pets: there is hope. Apart from an easing rental market, it seems landlords are getting the message - the mes-
sage that, as renters, those with pets are reliable, and more likely to want long-term leases. Which was just as well for Marjorie Hancox, who had to take a family pet, Molly, into her rental property at short notice. Damien Said, principal of petfriendly (when they can be) real estate agent Century 21 on Duporth in Maroochydore, said around half of the houses in their rental charge were pet-friendly - even a handful of units - but renters with pets should
always be armed with good pet-relative references. "References are the key, especially if they come from previous neighbours as well as previous landlords," he said. Despite a lot of advertisements suggesting "no pets" in rentals, it was up to the applicant to ask the question, as landlords often just gave a blanket "no" in print, but could negotiate in individual circumstances, he said. They would then possibly accept the renter with their pet after references were checked. "A lot of tenants with pets are more stable and looking for longer leases, which is good for landlords," he said.
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Sunshine Coast Daily
Monday 27/4/2009
Page: 16 Section: General News Region: Maroochydore QLD Circulation: 21,170 Type: Regional Size: 575.82 sq.cms. Published: MTWTFSBrief: CENTURY 21 Page 2 of 3
PETS WELCOME: Century 21 on Duporth principal Damien Said and property manager Katie Hoodless with renter Marjorie Hancox and her beloved dog Molly. PHOTO.:MICHAELAO'NEILL/182211
Tenants prove worth
FROM PAGE 16
The difficulties can arise when renters have larger dogs but want to rent smaller premises. Julie Penlington, from animal rescue group 4Paws, said one agent she knew only registered properties with 4Paws. "She never has a problem," she said. "People often have to surrender a pet to us because they can't find a rental property. "It causes stress and obligations for us to find the pet another home." Ms Penlington agreed good references were essential, along with proof of pet vaccinations. She suggested a "pet bond" could also sway doubtful landlords.
"It shows good faith," she said. She said it had been shown people owning pets were generally more responsible and stable. Ms Penlington said it was also a tragedy nursing homes would not allow pets, and retirement homes would not allow replacement after a pet died. "Older people get lonely - and they make ideal foster-carers for animals," she said. A new website, www.petfriendly rentals.com.au, can help those seek-
ing rental properties. The site does not contain real estate contacts or properties for rent, but does offer good advice on steps to take.
It also carries pet choice advice and points out the pros and cons of such choices in rental situations. The site was created by Ryan Blunden, whose partner, Jacqui Limberger, said the tragedy of pets being surrendered was, for pet lovers, "like breaking up the family". "If you are a responsible pet owner, you should have no problems," she said, but warned references were important. Ms Limberger agreed pet owners made for very good tenants. "They don't mean trashed premises for landlords - unruly kids in families and domestic violence situations are far worse." she said.
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