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Property managers who educate tenants on responsible pet ownership and reassure landlords about asset protection will be best positioned to capitalise on the growing demand for pet-friendly rentals.
Following Tasmania’s removal of landlords’ ability to apply a “no pets” rule on their properties, property managers (PMs) face an additional challenge in ensuring homes are properly maintained.
According to McGrath Estate Agents CEO John McGrath, with almost 70 per cent of homes having a pet, features designed for the nation’s four-legged friends would continue to increase demand and value.
“There’s anecdotal evidence to suggest that being pet-friendly can increase property value by 10 per cent,” McGrath said.
“As for landlords, there’s plenty of research that shows tenants will pay extra for a place where their pets are welcome – in some cities to the tune of a 30 per cent premium.”
Katherine Gaitanos, McGrath Estate Agents’ head of company-owned property management, said that as the rules changed, PMs would have to further educate tenants and landlords about pet rentals.
She said tenants will need a clear understanding of how to manage their pets on the property while maintaining its integrity.
“Our job is to provide education to our tenants, but most importantly, to landlords,” Gaitanos said.
“It’s not a huge extra workload for PMs, but it’s just making sure that it’s within their dialogue when they’re talking to tenants.”
Rather than being glossed over, Gaitanos said that pet-friendly features, such as floorboards, outdoor areas and entrances, should form a prominent part of the agent’s listing, as it can make the property stand out and attract more interest.
“We are trying to change the stigma that pets are a problem; they are not a problem.”
“I think those sorts of properties will stand out from an investor’s point of view as being really open in their marketing campaign.”
She said that giving landlords an understanding of the pet that would inhabit the dwelling, such as its breed, size, age, and immunisation status, went a long way toward reassuring owners.
To give landlords more peace of mind, Gaitanos said PMs should clarify ongoing expectations with tenants, including a vacate guide on how to return the home to its prior condition with carpet treatments and fumigation.
Gaitanos said that PMs whose landlords were still not particularly comfortable with the idea could request a pet reference from a previous PM.
Additionally, she said that having dedicated landlord insurance would provide them with significant peace of mind.
“A good landlord insurance will cover up to $70,000 worth of damages, so most owners are naturally pretty protected,” she said.
“For a few hundred dollars a year, it is complete peace of mind.”
With peace of mind about the security of their property, Gaitanos said landlords were less likely to have reservations about listing it for rent.
While many home owners get landlord insurance from their regular provider, Gaitanos said they should consider looking elsewhere for a tailored policy with full coverage.
“It’s something we say when we are onboarding new clients to our business; landlord insurance is a must.”
Similarly, Gaitanos said that educating landlords about the profitability of offering pet-friendly rentals would go a long way.
She said that pet-friendly features, such as floorboards, outdoor areas and entrances, can make the property stand out and attract more interest.
“We are trying to change the stigma that pets are a problem; they are not a problem.”
“I think those sorts of properties will stand out from an investor’s point of view as being really open in their marketing campaign,” she concluded.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Mathew Williams
Born in the rural town of Griffith NSW, Mathew Williams is a graduate journalist who has always had a passion for storytelling. Having graduated from the University of Canberra with a Bachelor of Sports Media in 2023, Mathew recently made the move to Sydney from Canberra to pursue a career in journalism and has joined the Momentum Media team, writing for their real estate brands. Outside of journalism, Mathew is an avid fan of all things sports and regularly attends sporting events across Sydney. Get in touch at
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