Pet Friendly Rentals Search Tool Updated
March 6, 2009 – 6:29 pmA big thanks to Lauren Katulka who alerted me via email about Domain.com.au changing their rentals section which in turn broke the Pet Friendly Rentals Search Tool.
I’ve just fixed the problem and the upgrade is available now.
How to ensure you’re running the latest version of the Pet Friendly Rentals Search Tool
February 26, 2009 – 3:41 pmI’ve had a few emails with people asking how to update the extension so here is a screen cast demonstrating how to do this.
Sharing an apartment with a dog – a guide from the RSPCA ACT
February 20, 2009 – 2:14 pmThe RSPCA ACT has been kind enough to provide us with a downloadable copy of their excellent guide on apartment living with a dog.
It looks at the responsibility and considerations of having a dog in an apartment (such as allergies, talking to neighbors, researching the body corporate laws), as well as profiles of dogs more suited to apartment living and how to keep your dog entertained while you’re gone.
While this guide is focused on dogs living in apartments, it’s a great read for anyone renting or living with pets and is especially valuable for those who currently live in apartment and are thinking of getting a dog.
Download Adobe Reader to display and print PDF files. This software is freely distributed by Adobe Systems Inc.A big thanks once again to RSPCA ACT for developing this excellent resource for pet owners!
Interview with Real Estate Office owner Dennis Wey
February 17, 2009 – 2:53 pm
Dennis Wey
Dennis Wey is Joint Managing Director of both the Beenleigh and Shailer Park Raine and Horne real estate offices and kindly agreed to an interview to answer some of the commonly asked questions by renting pet owners.
Note – PFR: stands for Pet Friendly Rentals.
PFR: Hi Dennis, thank you for talking to Pet Friendly Rentals today. Could you tell us a bit about yourself and your experience in the Real Estate industry?
Hi Ryan. Firstly, let me say that I am very interested in the rental industry and I believe we are seen as one of the most professional property management Offices in our area. Secondly, the situation regarding pets is of real concern to us. I have been involved in the real estate industry for over 30 years – 25 of those years with Raine & Horne and being a property investor myself I see both sides of the story on issues such as renting with pets.
PFR: So you’ve been in the industry a long time… What are your thoughts on why for a country where 63% of households own a pet, there are (relatively speaking) so few rentals that allow them?
That’s easy, there are pets and there are pets – there are 2 very distinct categories. To be on the safe side property owners say “no pets” when they are listing their rental properties, but in actual fact most of them don’t mind having pets live there but they are reluctant to actually promote “pets” in case they have a bad experience.
PFR: How responsible have pet owners been in your experience? Is it a case of the minority making it difficult for the majority?
We have had very little trouble with pets because we are very selective in the first place, just as we are selective with the potential tenants.
PFR: We’ve noticed that on Real Estate.com.au for example, many properties do not say anything about allowing or disallowing pets. This makes it frustrating for pet owners who often ring up to enquire about such properties. Why do you think ‘pets ok’ or ‘no pets’ are often not specified?
I personally would not promote pets for any of the properties I own and rent out, but all them actually have pets in them (except where the Body Corporate doesn’t allow them). I think people feel that they might be promoting the wrong type of pets. I believe it’s a tragedy to see a working dog for example kept in a small yard with no exercise.
PFR: What are some of the key things a Property Manager or Landlord looks for when selecting the ideal tenant?
A good past good record as well as the ability to pay rent, and if they have good references regarding pets, there are very few owners that would reject their applications.
PFR: What could pet owners do to maximise their chances of being approved for a rental?
Reference, reference, reference!
PFR: I understand that a lot of investors see pets as a liability to their investment property but what is the majority of damage to rentals actually caused by?
The only pet-related damage we have ever had reported was from locked-up working dogs. Other damage is typically caused by the people, not the pets.
PFR: Due to supply and demand, it’s likely that in some cases, investors could get a greater weekly income for their property if they allowed pets? Do you think this could influence their decision?
Absolutely – Most landlords would take a risk for a few dollars more on their return.
Do you think changes in legislation that would enable a “Pet Bond” to be introduced would help make more properties pet friendly, as a way of helping investors feel like they had more protection against any damage caused?
The current bond of 4 weeks rent is adequate, but if I was a prospective tenant and I was willing to pay more if it helped me to obtain the property that I wanted, then yes I believe investors would be very interested.
PFR: What else do you think could be done to help improve the number of rentals that allow pets?
If agents could specify the type of pets allowed or not allowed.
PFR: Any further comments?
Unit complexes are the worst offenders so developers should provide for pets in their planning of units – if they did, I believe that their units would sell for a premium. Investors would also get a higher rental return in these ‘pet friendly designed’ units. So getting the message through that designing for pets and allowing pets can achieve both a higher rental return and sale price would I believe assist.
PFR: Thanks very much for joining us today Dennis.
Pet Friendly Share Accomodation – North Melbourne
February 15, 2009 – 10:42 amDanny and his girlfriend Gemma from North Melbourne are looking for a flat mate with a house-trained, desexed and socialised house dog as they have a Lab x Kelpie male 3 years of age who would love some canine company.
It will be available from mid-March onwards at $170pw inc. elec, gas and broadband (excl. phone calls).
Contact Danny and Gemma for more information on 0405 766 822 .
Pet Friendly Rentals Search Tool updated
February 12, 2009 – 3:55 pmWe’ve been working hard to increase the search capabilities of the Pet Friendly Rentals Search Tool and as part of our first major upgrade, it now supports searching on Domain.com.au, as well as Real Estate.com.au.
Secondly – by request from many pet owners, you can now use the Pet Friendly Rentals Search Tool to search the ‘for sale’ sections of Real Estate.com.au and Domain.com.au – making it easier for you to find properties to buy that you know are suitable for both you and your pets.
Thirdly, whether searching for properties to rent or to buy, the Pet Friendly Rentals Search Tool now tells you when ‘no properties were found’ on the page you are searching – so you’re not left wondering if the extension has worked or if there are just no suitable properties on that page.
Our next task is to develop the search tool further so it can be used to search Homehound.com.au and MyHome.com.au and this will be happening in the coming months.
Help the animals suffering in the Victorian bushfires
February 11, 2009 – 3:07 pm
While many lives have been lost and devastated by the bush fires in Victoria, many animals have suffered a similar fate and need your help.
The animal welfare organisations have an enormous task on their hands when they are finally able to enter areas ravaged by recent bushfires. There are thousands of injured and starving animals still trapped, and the loss of two wildlife shelters has only worsened the situation.
There are so many stories emerging of what animals caught in the fires went through, and are still going through. Survivor Jason Lynn told The Herald that he doesn’t remember much of his ordeal except for the howling and screaming of animals burning to death in nearby paddocks and bushland. His story is a reminder that both human and animal victims need our support after the fires.
Injured domestic animals and native wildlife not killed by the fires now face starvation. Even the smallest donation will go along way to helping the Victorian RSPCA rescue and care for these animals, it only takes a minute and whatever you can spare will really help.
Please donate by going to http://www.rspcavic.org/campaigns_news/news_bushfires.htm or calling (03) 9224 2222. Every donation counts!
Pet Friendly Resumé System Launched
February 6, 2009 – 4:47 pmWe know first hand how tough it is to be approved for rentals when you own a pet, so what can you do to improve your chances?
Introducing our Pet Resumé System
Providing a resumé with your application for each of your pets demonstrates that you’re a responsible pet owner and also helps alleviate some of the potential concerns landlords and home owners may have about rinting to someone with a pet.
Developed in partnership with the Petcare Information and Advisory Service (PIAS), our new Pet Resumé System is completely free. All you need is a Pet Friendly Rentals account, then sign in and you can start!
A big thank you to Tim and Susie from the PIAS for all your help and support in creating this vital resource!
How do Koalas keep cool in the heat?
February 4, 2009 – 9:54 amIt has been so hot in South Australia for over a week…40+ degrees Celsius everyday, very dry also.
A guy who lives at Maude received an email from his wife with these photos of a little Koala that just walked into the back porch looking for a bit of heat relief. She filled up a bucket and this is what happened!
This little chap obviously knows about hygiene…drinks the water first then gets in!!
QLD compulsory cat registration a step in the right direction but…
February 4, 2009 – 9:36 amWhile cat registration is a step in the right direction (mainly helping reunite lost animals and their owners), Michael Beaty, spokesperson from RSPCA QLD doesn’t believe it will have a major effect on the tsunami of kittens that arrive on their doorstep every cat breeding season.
“A major opportunity to make a real impact on the vast numbers of kittens that are literally “born to die” has been missed. The Government has done the “hard yards” by bringing in registration but has missed a golden opportunity to strike a major blow for animal welfare.” he says.
While it seems everyone agrees that compulsory de-sexing at point of sale is a must for all but registered breeders, this vitally important point seems to be have been missed by the QLD Government, despite it being provided in calls for feedback about the changes to cat and dog registration laws.
We hope that cat registration simply doesn’t become a fund raising exercise for local government and we agree that their should be incentives for owners who have their cats de-sexed and micro-chipped. It’s just sad that the Government has no doubt missed a huge opportunity to address the kitten crisis and these innocent little ones will pay the ultimate price.