Housing Rights
Housing Rights
Promoting pet owner housing rights
Promoting pet owner housing rights
Around 5,000 cats and dogs are euthanised in Australia annually because of a lack of pet-friendly housing. Learn more about your rights and help us campaign for change.
Let’s protect the rights of pet owners
Help us campaign for change
The Facts
Our Objectives
Almost 70% of Australian households own pets, but in a highly competitive rental market, pet owners can be disadvantaged simply for having a pet
Only 25% of pet owners live in rental properties compared to 75% of pet owners who live in their own home
There is no evidence that pet owners are a greater risk to property than non-pet owners
Landlord restrictions on breed and size are also not evidence-based
Research shows that pet owners are better tenants because they stay twice as long and pay more rent
Allergens are often used as a justification, but can be addressed through cleaning conditions in the rental contract
Despite the significant physical and psychological benefits of having a pet – ranging from lower blood-pressure and cholesterol to reductions in rates of depression and loneliness – having a companion animal continues to pose a major problem for renters.
Research shows that one in five pet surrenders are because owners simply can’t find a pet-friendly home to rent. Sadly, pet ownership exposes people to an increased risk of housing instability, whether it’s blanket bans in some states, restrictions on bringing pets inside, or the hurdles imposed by body corporates.
In practice, that means facing a stark choice – give up your pet or face homelessness. For pet owners who consider their animals part of the family that’s a devastating outcome, but for many of the animals impacted it’s a death sentence.
Statistics suggest that some pounds kill every second dog they receive and 85-100% of cats. For pet rescue organisations, the stress of finding people willing to adopt a pet – and save them from death – is immense.
What we’re doing
We’re lobbying governments Australia-wide to recognise the importance of companion animals to our collective wellbeing and to make pets in rental properties the ‘norm’, rather than the exception.
What you need to know
Your rights as a pet owner will depend on where you live (both your location and housing type). Check out our guide to understand your rights, some of the processes involved and possible avenues for complaint.
Maximise the likelihood of your rental application being accepted by following our suggestions, including using our pet ‘resume’ template.
How you can help
If you’re a landlord, allow pets and don’t impose breed and size restrictions (Note: there is no evidence to suggest that those factors have any negative impact on tenancy!)
Lobby your state/territory government to ban unreasonable ‘no pets’ and ‘no pets inside’ clauses
Lobby your local real-estate agents to allow pets
Support our work by making a donation, so we can ensure pets stay with their people
Notified that the property they were living in was up for sale, Lynn and her teenage son knew they’d face an uphill struggle to find another home, but they had no idea just how hard life was about to get. Rejected time and time again, and with their tenancy coming to an end, they had to think fast. Lynn bought a small caravan – just enough for her, her son, and their beloved dog, Buddy.
“In the beginning we were pretty comfortable, staying in caravan parks around the local area. It wasn’t ideal, but we were all together. We’d stay at each place for as long as we were allowed and then move on – circling back through the parks over months.
“That all came crashing down when our regular sites booked out and the only options were parks that wouldn’t allow pets. Initially we stayed on a friend’s lawn, but that wasn’t sustainable. Eventually, I had to put my son first and hand Buddy over to a rehoming charity.
“It broke our hearts and I’m sure it broke his. I just hope someone is looking after him – this has been hard enough without worrying that he’s ended up in a shelter somewhere. Or worse.”
