Gold Coast property: Pet surrenders increase as rental vacancy remains tight

Difficulty finding a rental on the Gold Coast is forcing many locals into making heartbreaking decisions, leading to demands for major change.

THE number of pets caught up in the Gold Coast rental crisis has become so bad that the state’s peak animal welfare group wants to change legislation.

With the Coast’s property vacancies at 0.6 per cent, Animal Welfare League Queensland strategic director Joy Verrinder says many pet owners have been left with their hands tied.

Between 2019-20, she said a lack of accommodation was the third main reason for cat surrenders in southeast Queensland. It was the second-highest reason for dogs.

Moving is the main reason for surrenders.

“We want people who have pets to be treated fairly,” Ms Verrinder said. “There are irresponsible renters still out there whether they have pets or not.”

Ms Verrinder has backed the Greens’ push to overhaul rental legislation for pet owners, akin to recent changes in Victoria and ACT.

“The bill essentially says that tenants have a right to keep their pets, but they must still apply to their landlord. A landlord can refuse but they must provide legitimate reason to the Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal.”

A tenant from Tweed Heads, who wished to remain anonymous, said she and her partner were blindsided when told they had to move due to their rental being sold.

Though she understands it is a common occurrence, the woman now fears they will struggle to secure a new rental as they recently adopted a puppy.

“Last year when we were looking for our current place, me and my partner just wanted to settle down and find something long-term,” the woman explained.

“We wanted to get a pet as well, but we decided to wait for the right moment. We found a pet-friendly place but still waited for a few months before we asked the landlord.

“We got the puppy and literally three months later we were told the owner was selling the apartment. We bought new furniture and everything.”

Dr Joy Verrinder is campaigning for better rights for pet owners living in rental properties. Pic Tim Marsden

Since receiving notice, there has been little luck in securing a new property – limited pet-friendly rentals the cause of her stress.

While yet to consider surrendering the animal, she understands why others are forced to use emergency boarding services: “(Landlords) should be a little bit more flexible, when it comes to the regulations. Most people either have a pet or want a pet and realistically not everyone can own a house at the moment.

“I would be willing to pay a little bit extra in rent to at least secure something that we could call a home.”

Advocacy group Rent With Pets said it hoped to change attitudes toward pets and renting, as well as awareness about responsible pet ownership.

“We aim to increase awareness around the surrender of pets to shelters due to difficulty finding pet friendly rental properties, and how we can all help to stop this,” said Trish Ennis, National Executive of Companion Animal Network – Australia (CANA).

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Originally published as Gold Coast property: Pet surrenders increase as rental vacancy remains tight