What would you say if we told you that you could potentially increase your rental returns by up to 30% simply by ticking a box? You'd probably call us 'barking mad'.
But according to new research by Domain Group data, median asking rents for pet-friendly properties are higher than for homes that don’t allow pets in almost every capital city.
Take Melbourne's inner city, for example, where just 1% of apartments allow pets.
The median rent for pet-friendly apartments is $550, whereas the median rent for apartments that don't allow pets is $422.50. That's a $127.5 difference, or 30%. Think about how much quicker that could help you pay off your home loan.
It's a similar trend around the nation, too.
In many Sydney suburbs the median rent difference ranges from 12-26%, Brisbane's southern suburbs have a difference of 13%, and so too do Perth's western suburbs.
Houses are no different
When it comes to the difference in house rental prices, Brisbane's inner city leads the nation where houses allowing pets fetch 21% higher rent. Meanwhile, the Canberra suburb of Gungahlin (13%) slips into the nation's top five among a number of Sydney suburbs.
The recurring theme seems to be that the lower the proportion of properties advertised as pet-friendly, the higher the difference in median rental prices.
"We definitely see an increase in rents when properties are pet-friendly,” one Sydney real estate agent told Domain. “Hands down it’s the biggest inquiry we get for any property.”
Here's what a Brisbane real estate agent added: "I love to give out a property which is pet-friendly because I know I’ll have a bigger pool of people coming through and the take-up is much faster."
Factors to consider
Ok, so not every property is suitable for a pet. Not to mention that some strata bylaws don't allow pets.
But if it's something you're interested in looking into, here are some important factors to keep in mind.
- Put in place a pet agreement: Have your tenant sign an agreement that outlines how many pets are allowed, what breeds, and what rooms they cannot enter (ie carpeted rooms). It can also stipulate that the pet should not annoy neighbours, not damage the property and that the tenant should take pest control precautions to keep the property free of fleas.
- Ask for a pet reference: There's a good chance that the people moving into the apartment have rented another property before. Therefore be sure to ask their previous property manager how the pet behaved at that premises.
- Insurance and tax implications: While the tenant will be liable for most property damage (except general wear and tear), it's worth double checking your landlord insurance policy to see what you'll be covered for. And when it comes to footing the bill for general wear and tear, the good news is that it can be deducted from your rental income come tax time.
Final word
As you can see, there are some pros and cons to weigh up.
Sure, advertising your property as pet-friendly when seeking a new tenant can increase your rental return, but you'll want to ensure you're welcoming a pet into your investment that won't be destructive or keep the neighbours up at night.
Incidentally, if you'd like to review your home or investment loan don't hesitate to give us a call.
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