Pet bond discussed for rental properties to give owners security and renters choice

The bond would mean greater security for home owners and more choice for those with pets, according to head of property management at Fitzpatricks, Lyn Kimball.

"Normal bonds only cover normal damages, so when you add the component of pet damage, there's a whole new risk factor and this fear of the unknown," she said.

Ms Kimball said the bond would work similarly to the current rental bond system, with two to four weeks rent as a holding deposit. The tenancy expert had a number of 'horror stories' on properties that had been destroyed by animals with no security for the owners.

"Architraves have been chewed, bricks chewed, carpets scratched and clawed, and it meant such huge expenses that couldn't always be covered by insurance," she said.

"I've seen a house with kitten who wasn't toilet trained. It was a brand new unit, and the kitten urinated everywhere, the tenant was only in for six months and the place was putrid. They moved out and the owner had to replace carpet, under felt and have the concrete treated because the smell was so bad."

One Wagga renter, Paige Ellis, knows the struggles of finding a home with a pet all too well.

The 21-year-old has a young Labrador cross, Frankie, and recently moved into a new rental property.

"It was really difficult because when you go on realestate.com, most of the places don't say if dogs are allowed, or if they do, it's always 'pets on application', so as soon as you filter it down to those that will allow pets, it literally quarters your options," she said.

"There's not much around, and when it's 'pets on application', you get worried that if you do apply and mention you have a dog, they'll automatically put you at the bottom of the list for potential renters."

Miss Ellis said she had been lucky to find a place of good quality that allowed pets, and supported the idea of a pet bond.

"I think it's a great idea, it would take away the worry for renters who might stress that your dog could ruin the place even in small ways, and also then gives peace of mind to the home owners so it's a win win," she said.

Ms Kimball is a part of the Real Estate Institute of NSW (REINSW) Property Management Division Committee, and said they had been working towards the concept for years.

"We've been fighting tooth and nail for many years to get a pet bond in place," she said.

"We occasionally get tenants offering to pay but legally we can't accept that so we know there is a market for it - Animals are big part of Australian life."

In order for the regulations to come into play, Ms Kimball said both the REINSW and the tenants union need to agree to a pet bond introduction.

"There are a few changes going through the tenancy act now, so there is a possibility if there's more lobbying and awareness raised to get this in place," she said.

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