Pets
in the home

When considering if pets are suitable in the home, it's essential to consider the overall health and wellbeing of the animal. We rely on guidelines from RSPCA when considering requests.

Damage's caused by pets

Renter accountability

Pets are fun in the home however renters must understand they remain responsible for the pets during the tenancy. This includes additional cleaning and maintaining of the property. Should issues be identified the renter would be issued breach of duty notices to rectify the issue and a notice of repair under Section 78 Residential Tenancy Act.

Renters must ensure when they apply for permission to have a pet, they have the time and ability too look after the animal and property. Renters are responsible for everything that happens on the property and are accountable to rectify all issues.

Responsibility & Accountability

Renters

Renters must ask the landlord for permission to keep any animal at the rented premises. They may not bring any animal onto the property without consent. A prescribed pet request form must be completed. When this form is given to the landlord, the renter must wait up to 14 days for the landlord to reply. Until permission is granted the renter may not bring a pet onto the property.

Landlords

Once a pet request is received, the landlord has 14 days to consider the request. If they do not reply, the renter is granted permission automatically. If the landlord declines the request, application to VCAT must be made, Until VCAT decide the outcome of the pet, the renter must not bring a pet onto the property.

VCAT

VCAT will hear the landlords reasons for not allowing to have a pet on the property. VCAT will agree with the landlord OR advise the renter they can have a pet. If VCAT agree with the landlord and the renter has brought a pet onto the property, the renter must remove the animal with 28-days. If the renter fails to remove the animal the renter may be given a notice to vacate.

Notice to Vacate

If the renter fails to remove the animal after the VCAT hearing, VCAT allow a notice to vacate to be issued to terminate the tenancy. If the renters do not vacate the rented premises the landlord may apply to VCAT to gain possession of the property.

VCAT orders

Below is a sample VCAT order where VCAT declined to agree with a landlord refusing to grant consent. There are reasons why permission may not be granted and to ensure those reasons are fair, VCAT have the last say.

In all cases, the welfare of the animal must be taken into account. Is the property too small, animal too large, not enough shade or fresh water & food. These facts are taken seriously along with the renters ability to look after the property and animal together.

VCAT Pet Hearing Order

Pet request

Renters are asked to use this form from Consumer Affairs Victoria when applying for pets. Upon it's return the landlord has 14 days to consider the request. Renters must not bring the pet onto the property until granted permission.

Pet request form from renter.docx

Pets in the home