[MEL] Why Do Most Apartments Refuse to Accomodate Pet Dogs?

freshofftheplane on 01/12/2018 - 15:23
Last edited 01/12/2018 - 15:55 by 1 other user

I live in Melbourne after moving here from another country about 16 months ago. I'm curious to know the reasons to why most property owners / agents refuse to accommodate for our 4-legged friends?

While I understand there is a small risk for things to break (be chewed on?) by having a dog in an apartment, I still believe the risk is minimal, especially compared to small children who we all know are prone to causing havoc. Why is no one refusing to rent out apartments to families with small children?

Walking around my suburb, I see many people walking their dog, and most of them are probably not home owners… which made me develop these two ideas:

  1. People never mention their dog when they apply for an apartment, ie- the social norm in Australia for this matter is to not tell the entire truth
  2. Landlords are two-faced when it comes to their property. They will own a dog but still refuse to rent out to another dog-owner.

Is this just a Melbourne thing?

Thoughts?

Home & Garden

Comments

              • [Deactivated] on 02/12/2018 - 19:36

                @freshofftheplane: 100% this @sook guy is delusional

          • bobbified on 03/12/2018 - 10:57

            @freshofftheplane:

            Don't know what kind of fleas you have here, but I treat my dog regularly with anti-flea teratment

            How's a landlord, who doesn't you from a bar of soap, supposed to know that? And what if you're lying about the treatment or you stop the treatment for whatever reason after moving in?

  • Thenarrator on 02/12/2018 - 12:19
    +1

    Rent from apartment will only at best break even. No profit to be made.

    • snook on 02/12/2018 - 13:35

      depends when you bought it!

    • bobbified on 03/12/2018 - 11:01

      That would depend how you structure it. Rent from apartments generally cover most of the mortgage payments so it's paying itself off. Eventually, it'll be paid off by the tenants. But relatively less capital growth compared to a house.

      Houses generates less for regular rental income but generally have higher capital growth over the years.

      • Thenarrator on 03/12/2018 - 12:43

        most of the interest component of the mortgage, not capital component of the mortgage ill say.. for syd at least

        • bobbified on 03/12/2018 - 13:48

          for syd at least

          It's all relative though - higher apartment value, higher rents.

          Whether it covers the mortgage interest only or not would depend on how it's been structured. A big deposit at the start would mean that the rent would cover the total mortgage costs (that's what I've done).

  • Cluster on 02/12/2018 - 12:57
    +1

    Apart from the obvious problems (dog soiling the apartment), consider the noise issue. At 3pm every workday my neighbours dog would run around and start barking and yelping out of sheer frustration and boredom. The owners were of course oblivious to all of this and thought their pooch was a wonderful dog, but all the neighbours had to endure that mutt. Dogs require almost constant care. They cannot be locked up like cats to do their own thing. Dogs are simply incompatible with our modern 7 to 7 work day (including commute).

    He who owns the gold makes the rules, and if you're renting from a landlord then they make the rules. Don't like the rules? Buy your own place to live.

    • RolandWaites on 04/12/2018 - 12:36
      +1

      7 to 7..

      Sounds like you need a different job!

  • HighAndDry on 02/12/2018 - 13:09
    +2

    I still believe the risk is minimal

    Good, you can allow dogs when it's your property that's at risk then.

  • haemolysis on 02/12/2018 - 13:15
    +5

    I find it concerning that people keep asking for legislation to force pets on landlords. They cause damage, increase insurance costs, leave allergens, cause issues for other tenants (noise, poop, etc.) Maybe that’s what a bond is for but it’s not like pet owners pay extra. Further, cats and dogs are environmental pests. There’s no reason we SHOULD be encouraging them.

    I think we’ve all heard “if you can’t afford to take care of your pet then you can afford a pet.” This applies. Find a place that accepts pets or buy your own. You don’t just fall pregnant with a dog.

    All that aside, most apartments aren’t fit for an animal anyway. I’ve had a dog. I have a cat. They can’t live in a 2 bedroom on the third floor. That’s so awful. My cat lives with my parents. I couldn’t fathom putting them in my apartment and I 100% look down on people who do.

  • Rukiata on 02/12/2018 - 14:03
    +3

    Dogs need land, backyards and stuff, be a shame for a dog to be stuck in a room all day =/

    • Yummy on 02/12/2018 - 18:02
      +1

      OP can do whatever s/he wants with the doggy. That includes forcing all landlords to accept the entitled millennial pooch.

      /$

      Yep, poor doggy.

  • Mg on 02/12/2018 - 14:25

    A lot of the time it's not even up to the landlord, but the strata committee. Pets can be completely banned from the building even to owner-occupiers.

    We recently had an apartment in our building for sale and a prospective buyer asked the strata committee if they could change the by-laws to allow for pets. It was a unanimous 'no' from everyone (me included) and needless to say they didn't buy the apartment.

    It's not personal - while you may be a good pet owner and your pet be apartment-trained, it sets a precedent and then who knows what will come afterwards. Most residents just don't want to that that risk and they don't have to.

    Also, your argument comparing pets to children is ridiculous - at least babies wear nappies! Children are not going to defecate in an elevator or a car park or any other common area. Pets could though.

    Just grow up and accept that not everyone shares your view. We're all entitled to our own opinions. Find a place that accepts pets and move on.

  • minklet on 02/12/2018 - 14:29
    +6

    Because landlords want to have their cake and eat it. They want nice respectful tenants in to look after the place and pay the mortgage off, but also to not ever think it's actually their home they live in.

    • freshofftheplane on 02/12/2018 - 15:14

      Yep. and just make sure you're polite and say "thank you" for the huge effing privilege of renting their place, as if you weren't paying for it!
      I'm also a landlord and I've never ever treated people like that.. what a moral disgrace.. shows a lot about the society

      • p1 ama on 03/12/2018 - 01:30
        +5

        Have you actually read the stuff you're spewing?

        It's a transaction that benefits both parties. If there were no landlords, you wouldn't have properties to rent and vice versa.

        Where's the morality in all of this? Both sides are free to transact and if you're not happy with this landlord, find another one. If a landlord is not happy with a tenant, same deal.

        Is a Mazda MX-5 discriminatory and immoral for only having two seats and not catering for families with kids? That's exactly the same logic you're using.

    • HighAndDry on 02/12/2018 - 17:10

      tenants in to look after the place

      What tenant pays for maintenance and upkeep? Believe me, properties would be in much better condition if they were vacant.

    • bobbified on 03/12/2018 - 11:08
      +1

      You make it sound like the landlord got the place for free!

      Don't forget that the they've saved for many years and probably made many sacrifices during that time to even get the deposit to put down for the property.

      If it were that easy to get a property, there would be no renters.

      Landlords have a right to be concerned about their multi-year investment, so tenants need to understand that.

      I rented for the past 6/7 years and respected their rules that I agreed to at the time I signed the lease. The rent I paid each month allowed me to live in that property by those rules for the period - it doesn't entitle me to OWN that property and/or do whatever I felt like.

  • PvsNP on 02/12/2018 - 15:15

    sad stuff, so many restrictions…. need everything of your own to live life.

  • Chthonic on 02/12/2018 - 15:40
    +1

    I think it's cruel to own a pet dog if you live in an apartment.. Should be in a house with a yard for them.

    • [Deactivated] on 02/12/2018 - 19:42
      +1

      No all dogs need a yard. There's many breeds that are happy with a quick walk.

  • Nads2407 on 02/12/2018 - 15:45
    +9

    OP sounds like a POS.

    • whooah1979 on 02/12/2018 - 15:51
      +3

      That's a bit harsh.

      Op is a migrant. It sounds like their culture value animals welfare over people.

      • HighAndDry on 02/12/2018 - 17:11
        +5

        I'm pretty sure no culture does that, it's probably just OP.

        • SlickMick on 03/12/2018 - 09:45

          I'm pretty sure the culture in Paris values their pet dogs over tourists.

          Dogs in restaurants, eating from the table. Waiters smoking in the doorway.

          I love Australia.

          • HighAndDry on 03/12/2018 - 10:00

            @SlickMick: We also don't have rioters burning up neighbourhoods on basically a regular basis, so yes, very tempted to agree haha.

        • brendanm on 03/12/2018 - 18:58
          +2

          I value animals over a lot of people to be honest.

      • Yummy on 02/12/2018 - 18:03
        -4

        Well we can rule out that OP ain't asian.

        .. hmm doggy meat…..

        • [Deactivated] on 02/12/2018 - 19:43

          In my experience asian owners take care of their pets to a very high standard.

          • Scab on 02/12/2018 - 19:47
            +2

            @[Deactivated]: Username checks out.

            • [Deactivated] on 02/12/2018 - 19:52

              @Scab: @scab I'm not Asian (both parents convict Australian) from what I've noticed, Asians, take very good care of their pets.

  • echelon6 on 02/12/2018 - 16:31
    +1

    Simply, landlords have alternative tenant choice.

    Or offer more $.

  • Trying2SaveABuck on 02/12/2018 - 19:09
    +1

    I thought landlords cant refuse pets in Victoria anymore? or that hasnt come into effect yet?

    as my experience as a landlord - your landlord has sweet f*** all power. If you say if dont have a dog but sneak one in unless he can prove it there is sweet F*** all he can do and even if he does take it to VCAT he will have to pay all the costs.

    The system is terrible for landlords dont blame him for saying no but the system looks after tenants not the property owners

  • kaleidoscope on 02/12/2018 - 20:37

    Well the bond is not enough to cover damages done by pets may be? Also I’ve read in comments owners arent able to increase bond for pet owners. So yeah thats why.
    If I’m investing on a property I want to keep toubles like this to a minimum.

    I don’t think its that big of a problem, just look for listings that allow pets. Simple as that. My apartment owner does not allow pets, yet I’ve seen few of my neighbouring tenants have dogs so theirs must be okay with it.

  • belongsinforums on 02/12/2018 - 22:25
    +1

    disabled account in 3, 2, 1…

  • [Deactivated] on 02/12/2018 - 22:55

    Walking around my suburb, I see many people walking their dog, and most of them are probably not home owners… which made me develop these two ideas:

    How did you develop the 1st idea, that the people you saw don't own property ? Lol.

    Seems you're shitty about landlords prefering not to rent to you with a dog. Firstly, could be other reasons they prefer not to rent to you.
    Secondly from my friend that owned 2 or 3 real estate agents He said something about how they had situations where dog had scratched up/through part of wooden floorboards and costed thousands as entire floor section had to be replaced.
    Sure a child could do damage, as could an adult. Possibly the concern with pet damage is when they are left unattended all day then owner returns to find serious damage done. A child would and should be checked on regularly therefore would not continue all day at damaging something, plus claws and sharp teeth like a dog (along with the tendancy to use claws/teeth to damage property).
    Some agents and owners will accept a pet bond. You might be able to begin a negotiation of sorts with owner or agent, by offering to pay an extra amount pet bond on any property not initially allowing dogs.

  • Neptunesblood on 03/12/2018 - 07:48

    People who keep dogs in apartments are scum. Dogs need backyards and the freedom to pee and poop when they please. Forcing dogs to stay in cramped apartments is disgusting.

    • Godric on 03/12/2018 - 08:08

      People will say 'but it's a small dog', …..

      They forget about the dogs quality of life as they are for the most part treated as an item for their own entertainment for when they are home :(
      At least outside they can stretch, chase random butterflies invading their territory and bark at strangers, this is their pass time while their human is slaving away at work which they won't get from being trapped indoors

      • Tuftsdude on 03/12/2018 - 11:07

        My neighbour has a small dog, he is a piece of sh*t (the dog). Most days barks from 8 a.m onwards, I normally sleep from 5:30 a.m - 11:a.m so it's really annoying. Once I wake up, I can't sleep again.

  • Godric on 03/12/2018 - 07:56
    +2

    OP perhaps you should consider owning your own property if you have an issue with the way Landlords lease out their properties.

  • Austaurean on 03/12/2018 - 08:41
    +2

    as been said before, many body corporates/owners corps etc do not allow dogs/cats etc, therefore the owner cannot allow it.
    also its hard enough to get good tenants that actually care and look after the property house or flat, let alone put a pet into the equation.

    I had a 3 bedroom ensuite top floor unit, and out of 4 tenants, only 1 actually cared for the property in a proper manner. I even had 1 lot removed due to the disgusting state they kept the property in and also smoked in the unit, they put burn marks in the carpet and holes in the flyscreens so they could flick their cigarettes out the windows, the brand new oven/stove was nearly destroyed, the New paint was marked and discoloured - it was gross..

    As a previous unit owner, I would not allow pets or smokers - people do lie though.. which makes it hard.
    Pets need some form of back yard and not a unit, even if it has a balcony.
    Unless you can be home with the pet during the day, take it on several walks etc, My personal opinion is that it is cruel to have pets in a unit.

    Background - current - 11 years of being a Property Manager - although not with reals estates..

  • h4zey on 03/12/2018 - 10:55

    it's simple. People just don't trust anyone as much as you trust themselves, so if you can minimise the risk or the eliminate the need for one then why not.

    it's hard to stop people from having a baby but it's not hard to stop people from getting a pet.

  • oO0Dam0Oo on 03/12/2018 - 11:00
    +3

    Our previous apartment building OC had a strict no pets policy.

    Then one day there was a fire alarm evacuation. Every man, woman, dog, cat & bird streamed onto the street like it was Noah's Arc Mk II.

    • Tuftsdude on 03/12/2018 - 11:05

      lol you should've taken photos 😂

  • Tuftsdude on 03/12/2018 - 11:04

    After reading the first page of comments amd skimming through the second, my brain is going to fry reading OP's responses.

    If I were a house/apartment owner, I wouldn't let my tenants have dogs, I value cleanliness over a lot of things.
    If I were to have a dog, it will live outside or it'd be a farm dog.

  • jerjergege on 03/12/2018 - 11:06

    https://www.vic.gov.au/rentfair/pets-are-welcome.html

    Pets are now allowed.

    • samfisher5986 on 03/12/2018 - 11:28

      Not exactly, any smart landlord can get around this in many ways, if you are lucky you can have your dog for a few months before you get evicted for various valid reasons.

      I'm not saying no pets should be allowed, but its the landlords property and they can choose not to have their property infested with fleas, pee, complaints about barking etc.

      At the end of the day its best you simply ask your landlord, if you need to force them to allow it, you'll probably find yourself looking for a new place soon.

  • Yonaton on 03/12/2018 - 12:42

    It is simply not worth the risk renting out to pet owners, especially those with no or limited rental references. When the damages caused by the pet is more than the bond, I doubt they could careless and it is then up to the owners to foot the difference.

    Owning a pet is a completely different story to having kids, don' try to muddle the two together. Home owners should not have to cater for discretionary life style choices such as owning a pet. Even if they clean up their pets properly, I doubt after 12 months the place would be the same minus fair wear and tear.

    If owners are to have little say on this issue in the future, then there definitely should be a separate pet bond for this. If a renter can afford to have pets, then they can afford to compensate when damages are done not covered by the bond.

    • samfisher5986 on 03/12/2018 - 13:26

      Exactly right.

      I had a house infested by fleas.

      I paid for the flea treatment because he couldn't afford it, and ended up taking it out of his bond later.

      The fleas weren't completely killed off because he didn't vacuum enough.

      I had to pay for a second flea treatment after he moved out, so I was out of pocket.

      Then I had to have the property empty while the fleas slowly died out, so I lost a ridiculous amount of money.

  • ProggerPete on 03/12/2018 - 13:29
    +3

    I don't care how well behaved your dog is, if you keep a dog indoors your apartment will smell. You might be used to it, but other people are not. It's harder to rent out an apartment that smells like dog.

    If you want to avoid being discriminated against for keeping a pet, try offering to pay to compensate the owner for the cost and time required to get the smell out of the apartment when you leave.

    • mshanann on 03/12/2018 - 14:39
      +1

      this - I always hate getting in to cars that are frequented by dogs; The owner doesn't smell it, just the passengers new to the vehicle.

  • Starlight8 on 03/12/2018 - 13:31

    I can understand why landlords dont want pets as they can destroy the place.

    My pup has chewed 2 walls and the sideboard.

  • mshanann on 03/12/2018 - 14:37

    Dog owner here - timber floors are already noticeably scratched up in our house after 1 year of vizsla pup. The lawn is completely burned wherever she pisses. We don't let our dog on carpets, but god forbid if we did. I'm not talking flees - I'm talking general dog smell.

  • jno on 03/12/2018 - 18:28

    Buy your own house then

  • smux on 03/12/2018 - 18:39
    +2

    I don't care how similar to a rat a dog looks, filthy muts belong outdoors. I like dogs, but they belong outdoos.

  • DerpFactory on 03/12/2018 - 19:23

    This post went to sh*t but I just wanted to add that if you allow dogs, you pretty much have to allow cats ( I think? Although as you mentioned the laws are changing to allow all anyway) and cat piss smell does not ever leave. Ever. Google it.

  • HeWhoKnows on 03/12/2018 - 20:03

    Its fairly obvious…..

    Owners and managers dont like or want to deal with complaints. Nobody does. Its that simple!

    They dont want other residents complaining about a barking dog - yes they all bark all day at any noise when left alone in the apartment. You better believe it.

    They dont want other residents complaining about do hair all over the steps or in the lift.

    They dont want other residents complaining about the poor dog being left inside all alone all day.

    They dont want dogs stinking the place out, whether it be the carpets inside or the lawns and gardens outside.

    And fool be you to test this one because your 6 month lease will be terminated in just 1 month and you will be moving all over again at great expense.

    Frankly I think its very irresponsible to keep a dog in an apartment for all the reasons outlines above.

  • releasethekr4cken on 03/12/2018 - 20:38

    "curious to know reasons landlords/agents don't let to people with dogs"

    next comment argues with main reason landlords/agents don't let to people with dogs.

    What do the building strata laws say? My building has a rule against dogs. A couple of people still have dogs and are public enemy number one as their dogs a bored and going out of their mind cooped up while their owners are at work so they bark at stuff. It's a sad existence.

  • hopper on 03/12/2018 - 20:43

    the dog in next house barks at night and disturbs my sleep

  • badonde on 04/12/2018 - 11:05

    Dog + apartment = unhappy dog.
    Get a yard and make time for a dog

    Seen so many miserable pooches in tiny apartments living a hellish life and only going for 5 min walk to shit outside, while their owners are out constantly.

    Not everyone of course, but in general this practice is widespread and seems so cruel

    • Baghern on 04/12/2018 - 11:26

      Its called being selfish

      People want to live in the city/near work, near social scenes, where apartments are expensive.
      They put this desire over the needs of a pet, which should have a back yard.

      A back yard means movign far from work/social scene.

      But a the same time they put their need for a pet over landlords and neighbours

      so yeah just

      "selfish"

  • imurgod on 04/12/2018 - 14:26
    +1

    They're my properties and I'll do with them as I please.

    I spent a fair bit of money renovating them and I don't want my tenants pets damaging or dirtying the place.

    End of story.

    The first property I bought had tenants in there already and they had a cat which really made a mess of the place. Luckily, I had it insured.

  • AlienC on 06/12/2018 - 00:44

    Hygiene issues mainly.

    I love animals but could never own them because I am a hygiene freak even though I am a huge slob in real life go figure.. I am messy but I am clean messy if that makes any sense.

    Compare that to a family relative of mine who is very neat but not clean at all and would not sleep in the same bed as them but their room is extremely organized and neat but hygienically wise I think I win that department.

    So yeah it is like letting a homeless person sleep in your apartment.. some will allow it some may not.. There is no doubt majority of pets are dirtier than humans unless you are a really good owner.

  • Chubbsmcfatflabs on 07/12/2018 - 13:44
    +1

    I'm pretty sure Dogs are meant to be outside, most apartments have no room to swing a *() let alone anything else..how fair can it be to animal to be locked up in a 50sqm box day in day out ?

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