New laws to allow renters to pay higher bond in return to keep pets

PET owners could be forced to pay an extra week's bond to keep their animals in rented properties, new laws propose.

PET owners could be forced to pay an extra week's bond to keep their animals in rented properties, new laws propose.

The State Government has put forward changes to the Residential Tenancies Act that include allowing landlords to charge a "pet bond" to cover any potential damage by a tenant's pet.

Landlords would still be able to refuse tenants' requests to keep pets, but proponents hope the extra insurance against the risk of damage would encourage landlords to allow them.

Animal welfare organisations have also argued the change could reduce the number of pets abandoned because their owners move to a rental property that does not permit animals. 

The legislation would allow landlords to charge four weeks' rent in advance, or six weeks for properties rented for more than $600 a week. Landlords would be allowed to charge an extra week for pets in each case.

The average weekly rent in Adelaide is about $330 for a house and $290 for a unit.

Business Services and Consumers Minister John Rau said the proposal for an extra bond was designed to allow more pet owners to secure a rental property.

"Many pet owners have been locked out of the rental market in the past," he said.

"The intent of the bond is to allow landlords and tenants the flexibility to negotiate a bond that may be appropriate for the pet in question, as well as the property."

However, Greens MLC Mark Parnell said the Government's legislation was vague and not all pet owners should be slugged.

"It would seem to me that a person keeping a St Bernard dog is in the same position as a person with a goldfish in a bowl," he said.

Mr Parnell has tabled amendments to the Government's legislation based on a model in Western Australia that restricts the pet bond to cats and dogs.

Mr Rau said he was "open to discussion" on the definition of animal in the legislation.

Real estate experts have told The Advertiser landlords who refuse to allow their tenants to have pets could be losing money.

Last February a Queensland study found that a pet-friendly unit could add up to $15,000 to its resale value.

Real Estate Institute of SA chief executive Greg Troughton said most landlords had a no-pet policy but he believed many would consider changing their mind if they could charge a pet bond.

Anna Genders, 30, of St Peters, said it was a great idea to open the rental market up to pet owners, even at a cost.

She shares her rented St Peters home with her cavalier-shih tzu cross Audrey.

"It's pretty hard to find a place when you do have a pet - it does limit you to the types of properties you can to look at," she said. "If damage is done, it's going to come out of your money anyway."