Animals in rental accommodation:

"yes" or "no"?

It seems the law is about to change to make it easier for tenants to have an animal in their rental accommodation. I know there will be some landlords who will not want this to happen, others will shrug and some will fight it.

We lived in rental properties all my childhood. The properties belonged, with one exception, to the "Public Buildings Department" and they were set aside for teachers in rural areas. This had to happen because no other rental accommodation was available. (In one posting most of the teachers on the Senior Cat's staff actually had to live in caravans because nothing else was available.) We grew up with cats and, on one occasion, a small dog Middle Cat picked up from somewhere. There was never any "no pets" rule. I doubt the PBD ever considered such a move. Living in the places we lived in was not easy. If animals made it easier then that was fine with them.

Middle Cat and her husband own rental property. It is held in lieu of "superannuation" for Middle Cat. They do not have an agent dealing with it and thus are able to keep an eye on the property on a regular basis. Middle Cat is an animal lover, an animal whisperer. Dogs talk to her. Even the most shy cat will go to her. If their tenants wanted a cat or a dog it would not be an issue. We both know the importance of animals to many people.

Many years ago my mother was responsible for a rental property. The tenant shyly approached her and asked for permission to keep a cat. This woman was quiet and seemed very hesitant about everything. In the block of units there were two other cats. My mother was happy to grant the tenant permission to keep a cat. It turned out to be a much better thing than anyone realised. Eventually my mother was no longer responsible for the property. The woman moved on as well. We met her some years later and she seemed, while still quiet, happier and more relaxed.

"You let me have my cat. It was company when I needed it most. I was so depressed at the time."

She didn't tell us what was wrong in her life then but she pulled out one of those small "brag" books and showed us her cat, older now but still a very handsome animal. That woman needed her cat. 

I have been in and out of many rental properties to visit other people. Only a few have had pets, usually a bird in a cage. I am never happy seeing birds in cages but I know they are company for some people. I have wondered why pets were not allowed in some places because the accommodation has not been that good. The facilities have sometimes been "basic" to say the least. The idea that a well cared for animal could do more harm in such places is rather odd. 

And how often is someone who needs rental accommodation in circumstances where they need an animal? It can mean the difference between mental stability and mental illness or at risk of harm or the security of protection. 

No, of course not everyone will want to rent accommodation to someone who has a pet. If they do though they may find a better tenant than they expect.