Rental reforms in Tasmania a game changer for tenants

Bringing the dogs home gives them a chance to have a break from the hustle and bustle of shelter life and let them be normal dogs even if it’s just for a day outing and sometimes for short stays (1 or 2 nights). These not only give me a chance to see how each dog interacts out of the shelter, but also allows me to share that information so that people can see that how a dog acts in a shelter isn’t necessarily the dog’s true behaviour.

I also have two cats, Sandy and Ramen, who are my world. Sandy is my 13-year-old ginger and Ramen is my 2-year-old tabby who I’ve had since they were kittens. They are both pretty quiet especially when I’m not home, they spend most of their time asleep and I have a pet camera that proves they save any crazy for when I’m home, and are primarily indoors.

I’ve had a mixed basket of experiences when it comes to renting with pets, mostly positive though. I won’t lie - the cat fur was a tough one with carpets, but a good vacuum and regular brushing helped minimise this in any rentals I have been in with carpet.

I did have one negative experience where it seemed more like the landlord just didn’t want my cats there (despite giving me approval for both) because they were indoors, and the landlords’ cats hadn’t been (the landlord previously lived in the house). There were also a few other issues not pet related with that rental.

I found a share house to move to where I was going to be able to have my cats and foster, but the last minute the real estate contacted me to say I couldn't stay there because of the cats. It's also really tough at the moment because there isn't really any rentals available and even fewer will take pets. The rentals that are available and allow pets are unaffordable for the majority of people on single incomes.

Unfortunately, a series of unfortunate events that started with a bad landlord experience at my last place led to the temporary shelter accommodation I am at now. Sadly, pets are not allowed in temporary accommodation, so my cats are boarding at the Dogs’ Homes of Tasmania where I regularly visit them and make sure they know how much I love and miss them.
Of course, this also means I can't foster right now. I do still volunteer taking the dogs on outings, just not at home.

I look forward to the pet friendly rental reforms. It would provide more opportunities to find a pet friendly rental. Having been told in the past that my applications have been rejected because of my furry family members and having options well and truly out of my financial capabilities to choose from within an already limited rental market.
I can honestly see both sides of the debate regarding pet-friendly rentals and I do think it’s important to find a happy median that ensures tenants don’t have to part with their family members and the landlords don’t feel that they might have to foot the bill if damage is caused. I don’t however agree that people should have to give up family members or risk homelessness.