Renters Should Consider 'Pets CV' To Succeed In Sydney's Tight Rental Market

Owners of pets are finding it very challenging to secure a rental property in Sydney's tight rental market should consider a pets CV according to Kevin Young, President of Property Club.

Mr Young said that a recent survey of landlords with vacant rental properties by Property Club found that 25% or one in four discouraged tenants with pets from applying.

"In tight rental markets such as Sydney, having a pet can be a real handicap for tenants looking for a rental property even though 35% of households in New South Wales have a dog, 19% a cat and 9% both a cat and a dog.

"As an owner of 200 rental properties, I rarely have had an issue with tenants with pets and always allow pets in my properties.

“By excluding tenants with pets, landlords in Australia are effectively ignoring people who may very well be perfectly good tenants.

“However, in a number of overseas countries, such as the United States, pet owners are now drafting CVs for their pets to show that they are well behaved and a part of the family.

“These CVs resemble a work related CV for a person. The name of the pet is on top and instead of Education and Computer Skills, there are categories such as Personality, Experience (living in other rental properties) and most importantly, References. References from previous Landlords are important because they can substantiate that the pet is well behaved with a track record of keeping  the home in good condition.

“Anyone writing these Pet CVs are advised to avoid making exaggerated statements under the ‘Personality’ category. You'll turn off your prospective landlord with lengthy descriptions of your pets favourable characteristics. The pet owner should instead, list the important behavioural points such as that your pet is house trained (litter box-trained, or in the case of dogs, trained to go outside two or three times daily without using your carpet in desperation), quiet, good with people, etc.

“In addition to listing previous landlords as references, it may also be worth including i former neighbours if they are able and willing to substantiate the pet CV.

“Attaching copies of the pet's vaccination record, which lists the dates of his most recent round of shots is also a good idea as is including a report from the veterinarian that validates the pets good health .

“While many people in Australia may regard Pet CV’s as eccentric, they are being used increasingly overseas by pet owners to help secure a rental property and alleviate any fears that landlords may have about the animals

“If landlords have any concerns about a pet, then they should ensure that their landlords protection policy covers any potential damage. Over the years, I ever had just one occasion to claim on my landlords insurance due to damage caused by a pet.

“Landlords should also look at option of a pet bond,” he said. .

Kevin Young