YOUR SAY: Forced to choose between pets and a home

For some finding a home means losing your best friend. Here’s what you said about renter’s pets

The Daily Mercury asked its readers what they thought about renters being able to have pets. Picture: Jason Edwards

FOR some renters, finding a home may mean losing their best friend.

The Rental Tenancies Authority said despite more than half of Queensland homes owning a dog, a cat, or both, only 10 per cent of rental properties allowed pets.

The Daily Mercury asked its readers what they thought about renters being able to have pets, and the response revealed the complexity of the issue.

For Mackay region renters like Samantha Eiser the pet restriction forced her family to choose between their beloved pets and having a roof over their heads.

Ms Eiser said her family were a few days from homelessness when they found a home that initially allowed them to keep their pets.

"(But) the owner changed their mind about the pets and I had to choose to give my pets up," Ms Eiser said.

"I was not going to have a roof over my four kids heads.

"We had to find new homes for my pets, it was one of the hardest things I had to do.

"(But) you have to do what's right for your family."

The Daily Mercury asked its readers what they thought about renters being able to have pets.

Most comments supported unlocking the rental market to pet owners, but many landlords worried about the damage to their properties.

Ilona Dey-Murry said while responsible pet owners did the right thing, problem renters could cause long-term damage.

"They have flea infested, unwashed pets and allow them the run of the home or flat without any thought to the tenants that may follow them," Ms Dey Murry wrote.

"They allow their pets to dig, destroy gardens and lawns and let them defecate and urinate everywhere without cleaning it up or watering the lawn.

"The cost of repairing the damage is left to the owner with the tenant playing the poor hard done by victim.

"Once the irresponsible pet owning tenant is in your property its very hard to control what goes on so it's just easier to say 'No' straight up."

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The Daily Mercury asked its readers what they thought about renters being able to have pets.

And the damage by pets can impact future renters.

Janita Fox wrote she once lived in rental property with a permanent stench of cat pee because of previous tenants.

"The house has a forever cat pee smell in it as well as loose cat hairs that had never been removed from the carpets quite well enough," Ms Fox wrote.

"Personally, to me, it's filth.

"The same applies to dogs or any other animal inside."

But even small relatively harmless pets have resulted in rental applications being denied.

Hayley Sumpter said she had faced issues because of her pet guinea pigs.

"One real estate even said they'd allow cats and dogs but weren't sure about guinea pigs with how they'd effect the grass," she said.

guinea pig walks in the fresh air and eating green grass

A former tenant who now owns a rental property, Tiff Walpole said she was sympathetic to renters with pets.

"Basically it was impossible to find pet friendly houses and was so frustrating," Ms Walpole wrote.

"So now I have rental properties I allow them to have outside pets because I know how I used to struggle to find them and I would hate people to have to give up their pets to the pound or give them away because my dog is like family."

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The Queensland Government has begun a review into rental regulations, with pet ownership one of the key areas of reform.

The Department of Housing and Public Works is expected to release its findings, which drew on community consultation with both renters and landlords.

The Daily Mercury asked its readers what they thought about the issue.

Here's what you had to say.

Do you think renters should be allowed to keep pets?

Lynda Cocks: Not when they tie them up day in day out on a short leash and it barks all day.

Tiff Walpole: Before I had rental properties and was a renter basically it was impossible to find pet friendly houses and was so frustrating. So now I have rental properties I allow them to have outside pets because I know how I used to struggle to find them and I would hate people to have to give up their pets to the pound or give them away because my dog is like family.

Lesley N Nye Keegan: Only those who are proven to be responsible pet owners.

Mary-Kathleen Blyton: There should be a way to prove your pet is a good pet with something like a pet profile that potential landlords can look at

Angie Dwyer: What a stupid question! I wouldn't rent a house to start with if pets are not allowed - simple! Pets are family. Please don't get any pets, they are not things to be disposed of when they don't fit into your life anymore … My pups will always fit into my family's life. I think small children cause more damage than most pets do … Do we keep our children as well or give them away!

Tracey Albano: I would sleep in a tent before giving up my pets.

Samantha Eiser: I had pets and I was a few days from becoming homeless. I took a house that was allowed pets and then … the owner changed their mind about the pets and I had no choice but to give my pets up as I was not going to have a roof over my four kids' head. The reason why is because the last person dog wrecked his yard. … I think we should be allowed to keep our pets. I moved into a house and we had to find new homes for my pets its was one of the hardest things I had to do. I miss my pets so much … sometimes you can't help it and you have to do what's right for your family.

Shona Brand: I think the owner of the house should have the right to decide if they allow pets or not. I rent and I'm fully aware of the difficulties with trying to find a rental property with a dog but it's definitely the house owner's right to reject them.

Tabby and white cat and Happy Border Collie crossbreed dog with smiling expression looking at camera. picture iStock

Kellie Leonard: I rent out my apartment to people with a small dog.

Sophia Allisynn Smart-Haddon: Absolutely! Pets are family

Melissa Turner: As long as the renters are prepared to make the property the way it was prior if their animals wreck anything I don't see a problem … In my case it didn't happen either. I would rather keep my house vacant until it sells than ever rent again.

Alexis Brickwood: When the dog digs up the back yard/retic, chews blinds and doors no. As a homeowner who does allow pets even though we've had bad experiences I still think it's up to the landlord; it is their property at the end of the day.

Michelle Airey: What a stupid question … yes of course … renters are not second class citizens.

Tracey Albano: Absolutely, they're responsible for anything that happens anyway and I have seen more damage done by people than pets. Regular inspections keep everyone in check

Cheryl McDougall: Yes

Jodie Barrass: If the renters are responsible and their pet's are family yes but I have also seen the other side to this so based on individual people don't tar every family with the same brush.

Dan Emma Dennis: Yep

Sue Kingsley Evans: Yes

Shannon Buitendag: Absolutely. But the home needs to be left the same condition it was originally rented in

Kirstie Pratt: No it's up to the person who owns the property. That is why they own the property. They are paying for the mortgage! If a tenant wants to buy their own place then they can do what they like then. In saying that if a tenant can be responsible and can come to an agreement with the owner then fine.

Bianca McGrath: Outside pets yes!

Nadine Stephens: So if a landlord is allergic to cats, but rents their home out for any reason, they should be forced to accept cats. Owner's choice

Jaime O'Regan: Yes

Melissa Figlia: Yes

Janita Fox: No. It's up to the person who owns the property. I've been in a rental where the past renters have had a cat inside and the house has a forever cat pee smell in it as well as loose cat hairs that had never been removed from the carpets quite well enough. Personally, to me, it's filth. The same applies to dogs or any other animal inside. Especially if you have babies/kids.

Vanessa Walter: If properties were returned to entry condition standard before they were returned to the real estate I don't think landlords would have a problem but it's the tenants who say their dogs will stay outside when they don't, they won't damage the gardens and turf when they do, they won't ruin the carpet when they do. I believe a landlord should have the right especially when they have been burnt in the past fixing up a damaged property before renting it again to the next one.

Caryn Swindale: Depends on the house and situation. Our backyard is huge and fenced but has no undercover area out the back or trees for that matter so it would just be cruel to have a pet in full sun all the time so even if we were allowed pets I wouldn't have one. Outside pets for houses that can accommodate shade/weather protected/fenced areas as long as the owner is responsible would be fair.

Glenn Fahy: Depends

Jan Mcgrath: Yes

Krista Hannan: Yes

Bev Ferris: Think it should be owner's discretion.

Heather Quinn: Yes

Angela Shapland: Most definitely. Sometimes living alone you need a furry friend to cuddle at night and love.

Donna Walsh: Yes

Elizabeth Attard: If the landlord is happy for tenant to have pets then yes. If landlord is not happy then no. What everyone needs to remember is that the landlord owns the house which is giving tenants somewhere to live and they have to obey what the landlord wants. It should not be a government decision as to whether tenants can have pets or not … if they feel that way then they should get their own house to live in then they can have as many pets as they like.

Julie Mackenzie: It's their house true but renters are paying a high price and should be allowed to live happy lives, not just exist to pay off someone else's home.

Melissa Hodge: Hell yes. Kids are worse than pets

Carole Henry: It depends on the property some are just not suitable

Debbie Moffat: Yes they shouldn't be penalised for being animal lovers. Victoria have stopped this

Gaye Waterson: Yes.

Shannon Wall: Yes. Its called being a free country not a communist country. And before all the Karens and Carls get on here assuming. Yes I have been a landlord.

Ilona Dey-Murry: I've seen both sides of the argument. Responsible pet owners that do the right thing are not the problem. The problem is those owners that are irresponsible. They have flea infested, unwashed pets and allow them the run of the home or flat without any thought to the tenants that may follow them. They allow their pets to dig, destroy gardens and lawns and let them defecate and urinate everywhere without cleaning it up or watering the lawn. The cost of repairing the damage is left to the owner with the tenant playing the poor hard done by victim. Once the irresponsible pet owning tenant is in your property its very hard to control what goes on so it's just easier to say No straight up.

Sandra Green: At the discretion of the property owner. Like most things you will get those that do the right thing and those who could not give two dams if they destroy your property because they do not own it.

Tina Pascoe: Depends on the conditions set by the landlord. If they say no pets, that means no pets.

Hayley Sumpter: Once had issues finding a place who would let us have guinea pigs. One real estate even said they'd allow cats and dogs but weren't sure about guinea pigs with how they'd effect the grass.

Margaret J Smith: Yes if well looked after

Elyce April Dahms: Absolutely

Debbie Luciano: Definitely

Michelle Whiley: Yes

Brenda-Lee MacDougall: Yes if animals are well behaved, well looked after and the property is animal proof (fencing) etc.

Helen Fulton: But the tenants pay the rent and look after the landlord's investment

Tash Chapman: Yes

Kristina Ramsay: Yes

Colleen Olsen: Yes. As sometimes that is all they have.

Anita Guglielmino: Yes pets should be allowed with tenants ensuring the cleaning and maintenance is kept up as per lease conditions and satisfactory inspections shouldn't be a problem

Julie Mackenzie: Yes of cause they should be allowed and the tenants should pay if any damage happens, but as it is tenants are required to have flee and pest control done at end of lease, and garden replaced where necessary. Children are better adults when they have pets to love and share cuddles, lonely elderly need a furr-family when family grow and partner passes away. Everyone would all love to own their own home but not always possible and for pet owners to be left homeless or having to take loved pets off their children is just not right.

Leo Scott: Last I understood tenants will soon not be denied from having pets in Qld as in other states. A pet bond is required, council registration, references preferred, and type of pet(s) allowed will depend on the dwelling. At the end of the day the owner chooses the prefer tenant(s) anyway. Just that tenants cannot be discriminated against if they also have pets.

Gwenda E Cevikoz: Yes

Erika Brownsey: If they are pets that they already had before, then yes, I think pets should be aloud. Just no new ones. Getting a new pet when you know that the landlord doesn't want them in their house is just disrespectful

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