Fur flies as landlords take on Tasmanian Government decision allowing renters to keep pets

Landlords have launched a campaign against the government’s promise to allow tenants to keep pets, warning the changes could impact the rental market. Poll inside >>

REIT director Adrian Kelly and REIT chief executive Michelle Tynan.

Landlords and real estate agents have launched a campaign against the Tasmanian Government’s promise to allow tenants to keep pets in rental properties, warning the proposed legislative changes could scare “mum and dad” investors out of the market.

During the state election campaign, Premier Jeremy Rockliff vowed to amend the Residential Tenancy Act to give renters the right to live alongside their companion animals.

“Renters shouldn’t have to choose between having a place to live, and the pet they love,” Mr Rockliff said in February.

Minister for Small Business and Consumer Affairs, Madeleine Ogilvie.

But Real Estate Institute of Tasmania (REIT) chief executive, Michelle Tynan, said changes to existing laws would force many investors to consider selling their properties, and create a crisis of confidence within the Tasmanian property market.

Ms Tynan said that while REIT did not oppose reforms to laws regarding pets, the Bill the government tabled in June lacked adequate protections for landlords and was unworkable in practice.

REIT has encouraged property investors and agents to sign up to its “Hear Our Voice” online campaign, which sends a list of industry concerns to senior government and parliamentary figures via an automated email.

“With the proposed changes to the Residential Tenancy Act 1997 to mandate pets in rentals, I am writing to express my concern that the Tasmanian Government has not considered the unintended consequences of changes to the Act and the ramifications for affordable and sustainable tenancies in Tasmania,” the emailed letter reads.

“The proposed legislation changes will further erode the rights of investment property owners in Tasmania and will result in more private rental providers exiting the market.

“As it is the government’s intention to mandate Pets in Rentals for all Tasmanian renters, I will now give careful consideration, as an investment property owner in Tasmania, as to the sustainability of my investment.”

Using supplied postcode information, the REIT letter is sent to each participants’ seven lower house members of state parliament, their upper house representative, as well as the Premier, Attorney-General, and the Leader of the Opposition.

REIT has urged the government to include protections for property owners in its legislative amendment, including penalties for tenants who do not seek permission for a pet, mandatory fumigation, pet bonds, and restrictions on the number and type of animals kept in rental properties.

The organisation said that if the proposed legislation resulted in only 3 per cent of investors leaving the Tasmanian private sector, it would impact the rental status of more than 1650 homes.

Minister for Small Business and Consumer Affairs, Madeleine Ogilvie, said the government was determined to strike an appropriate balance between landlord and renters’ rights, with the proposed amendments including protections for property owners.

“Tenants must notify owners of a pet and the owner can object and apply to the Tasmanian Civil and Administrative Appeals Tribunal within 28 days of the notification,” Ms Ogilvie said.

“The Bill also provides an avenue for an owner to withdraw consent and to seek an order from the Tribunal that a pet must be removed in the event of a pet causing a nuisance, damage over and above reasonable wear and tear, posing an unacceptable safety risk or other reasonable grounds.”

Ms Ogilvie said the government had consulted on the proposed amendments, and would continue to work with all stakeholders during the legislative process.