Proposed laws in South Australia would allow tenants to keep pets in rental properties

New laws will put an end to the heartbreaking dilemma faced by many SA pet owners in an already difficult rental market - to put a roof over their head or give up their pets.

Tenants would have the right to own a pet under proposed reforms that would stop owners from having to surrender their animals or face homelessness.

The government will consult on a bill that would change the law so a tenant who applies to keep a pet in a rental property cannot have their request unreasonably refused.

The tenant must agree to comply with any reasonable conditions imposed by the landlord, including requiring a pet be kept outside of the rental home if it is not ordinarily kept inside.

A landlord can also require carpets be professionally cleaned at the end of the tenancy if the pet is allowed inside.

If a tenant does not believe the conditions imposed by a landlord are reasonable – or they have had their request to keep a pet unreasonably refused – they may appeal to the SA Civil and Administrative Tribunal.

Cousins Catherine Mayer and Lizzie Wilkins, both 29, struggled to find a rental property that would accommodate for their pets.

“I have three cats and this has made it really difficult to find a house,” Ms Mayer, 29, from Flagstaff Hill said.

She had been allowed only one cat at her rental property and was forced to keep her other two cats with a relative.

Cousins Catherine Mayer with her cat Hamilton and Lizzie Wilkins, both 29, with her cat Moo. Picture: Emma Brasier

“I had to be on my hands and knees begging my landlord … so we could have a complete family again.”

Ms Mayer said the landlord agreed on the condition she would not renew the lease.

“I could not imagine trying to give one of them up.”

She has since found a rental in Flagstaff Hill to accommodate her pets.

Ms Mayer’s cousin, Ms Wilkins, was not as lucky – she had to give up her dog Athena for adoption to could secure a place to live.

“We were just really devastated,” Ms Wilkins, of Salisbury North, said. “A piece of our family is now missing.”

She hoped the proposed legislation would prevent owners having to give up their pets to find a place to live.

“I really wish no one ever has to be in the same situation I was.”

Ms Wilkins adopted Athena at just six weeks and she had the dog for only half a year before she made the difficult decision to give her up.

Premier Peter Malinauskas said it was heartbreaking that some South Australians have had to choose between having a roof over their head and giving up a beloved pet.

“That’s why our government is acting decisively to make housing more accessible for all South Australians including those with pets,” he said.

Consumer and Business Affairs Minister Andrea Michaels said the government wanted to make sure both tenants and landlords were protected.

“Tenants will be liable for any damage caused by pets and will have to comply with any reasonable requirements from their landlord,” she said.