After a week of radio-silence on her social media platforms, Brenda the Bichon Frise was found by a fan living in a cardboard box on one of the dark alleys of Fortitude Valley. Shocked by her ragged appearance, the fan used the opportunity to take a selfie for his own profile offering Brenda a treat. The photo circulated the internet with the hashtag #tragic.
Famous for her hilarious videos on TikTok and a cameo on the blockbuster Shrek 2, Brenda the Bichon Frise later declared on her accounts it was all part of a coordinated protest against the rigorous pet approval process for rental properties in Queensland, and her owner should not be charged with abandonment.
With a six-figure annual income from sponsors and modelling jobs for big brands, Brenda’s public relations team released a note on her official website in which she declared:
(…) it does not seem fit that [her owner] was unapologetically denied properties because of me, especially given I am the breadwinner.
Countrywide statistics
A research article published by Animal Medicines Australia revealed that 3 out of 5 Australian households currently have a pet, with a total of 29 million pets registered in opposition to the estimated human population of 25 million.
Out of the survey participants, 71% declared their pets have a positive impact on their lives and see the relationship as a two-way street, with health, social and personal benefits to their lives. 57% of pet owners are strong advocates of these benefits.
“For property owners, there has also been acknowledgment that allowing pets may increase the value of a strata property. In some cases, being ‘pet friendly’ can increase property value by 10% and rental return by 30%.”
The current process
At the present time, Queensland regulations for pet approvals are vague and only state that once approved by the landlord, the pet must be declared on the lease agreement with type and number.
Because the 2009 regulations do not go in depth on the matter, investors can simply determine their properties are not pet-friendly without having to provide a specific reason why. This leads to a reduction on the number of suitable applications once they hit the market based on, according to Brenda the Bichon Frise on her hit video “My human isn’t toilet trained”, pure discrimination.
Rise of the pet era
Thanks to approved changes to the regulation last year, which will go into full effect on the 1st of October, 2022, real estate investors will now have to provide specific grounds as to why they find the property unsuitable for pets.
Check our breakdown of the bill amendment below:
The process:
- Pets still need the property owners’ written approval, with the exception of working dogs.
- Pets are subject to specific regulations, such as Body Corporate By-Laws;
- After the tenant’s pet application, the owner has 14 days to reply with a written approval or, in the lack of an answer, the pet is automatically approved;
- When approving, the landlord can provide reasonable conditions to allow the pet in the property;
- When refusing, the owner must provide the grounds as for why;
- Tenants are fully responsible for noises and damage caused to the property. These damages are also not to be considered general wear and tear.
The conditions for approval:
- The reasonable conditions CAN:
- If the pet is not ordinarily an indoor animal – determine that the pet is kept outside;
- Be related to fumigation at the end of tenancy;
- But they CANNOT:
- In any way increase the rental price of the property or its bond;
- Request the tenants for any form of security;
The grounds for refusal:
- The approval of a pet would exceed a reasonable number of pets in the property;
- The property is unsuitable for pets due to a lack of fencing, space or other condition to humanely accommodate a pet;
- The pet may cause damage that is not practically repairable for a price that is less than the Bond;
- The pet may represent a risk to the occupants, for example, if it is venomous;
- Keeping the pet would contravene a law (including Body Corporate By-Laws);
- The animal is not a pet as stated on the amendment;
Now after a celebration weekend in Paris with her best friend Denzel the Dachshund, Brenda the Bichon Frise is back at her pet-friendly mansionette. The content of her videographed grunge-style living can be found on TikTok.
With upcoming changes in legislation that might affect your property more than a simple pet approval, it is important to have a knowledgeable team making sure everything runs smoothly. At Odyssey Property Concierge, our highly experienced team works with smaller portfolios per agent, allowing our Property Managers to dedicate more time addressing such topics.
