Tenants keeping pets in secret despite landlords becoming more open to allowing them

New tenancy data has revealed one in four leases includes a clause allowing for pets, yet many renters are keeping animals in secret. Here is why.

Renters are keeping pets in secret over fears there will be reprecussions from their landlord if they declare them, new tenancy data has revealed.

This is despite an increasing number of landlords greenlighting renter requests to keep animals on the premises.

Property management tool FLK IT OVER released tenancy data showing that one in four leases included a pet clause, yet many renters were staying under the radar and not disclosing them.

The data showed that landlords are far more open to pets being allowed on the property, with many allowing more than one on the property.

Dogs are the most popular pet to be requested by tenants for their apartments.

According to FLK IT OVER founder Andrew Colagiuri, this is in stark contrast to a decade ago when landlords defaulted to not allowing pets.

“When Covid started we saw a dramatic spike in requests for tenants to be allowed to keep chickens, dogs and cats and that spike is continuing,” Mr Colagiuri said.

“Dogs are by far the most popular pet with over 35,000 leases signed through the FLK IT OVER platform including at least one dog followed by cats with 8,000 leases which often come in a pair.”

FLK IT OVER founder Andrew Colagiuri

Landlords have embraced pets because tenants with animals tend to stay in properties longer and are more likely to be families with a higher income. Changes in legislation also made it easier for tenants to own pets.

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A decade ago, landlords would default to not allowing any pets on the property.

Demand for pets in rentals has been steadily increasing by 3 per cent a year since 2017.

“For landlords, this increasing demand is important to take note of if they want to realise their full occupancy and maximise their rent potential by appealing to the largest market,” Mr Colagiuri said.

“There are still many tenants who home a pet midway through their lease and hide it for fear of being not allowed to keep it.”

“Overseas rentals are often purpose built with features like dog flaps on doors and walking tracks in roof gardens are increasingly becoming the norm in this type of accommodation which are starting to see here in Australia.”

Originally published as Tenants keeping pets in secret despite landlords becoming more open to allowing them