renting with pets

[secretskydiver]

We are in the early stages of planning a move to Oz and determined to bring our 3 dogs with us and go through the trauma of quarantine.
We are hoping to go to Perth and wondered about the realities of renting with 3 dogs? Has anyone had similar experiences?
I also wondered whether pets could be included in the costs of relocating if I were sponsored?
Cheers,

[Dolly]

Hi secretskydiver,

I have to say that with 3 dogs, you will be really limiting yourself as to landlords that will accept you.

There is a rule about how many pets are allowed in one household - I'll see if I can find that out,

Shipping our dog was in our relocation allowance of my husband's company. It is down to the individual company as to what the allowance includes so you'll probably need to negotiate.

Dolly

[kaz101]

Hi Secretskydiver,

Someone else on this forum has suggested increasing the bond so that landlords will accept you. The issue is (speaking as a landlord) that I would be worried about how much damage the dogs could do that I would have to pay for when you left. To make it more favourable for a landlord if you offer an increased bond and maybe having the property professionally cleaned afterwards, that may sway things in your favour.

You would have to negotiate the dogs being part of your relocation package.

Also check that you are allowed 3 dogs in Perth (here I have heard that there are some limits depending on the size of the property but I haven't bothered to confirm that since we don't have pets).

Regards,
Karen

[Dolly]

Quarantine isn't as bad as you think. I was worried sick about how our dog would cope (she's a bit pampered!) but she was absolutely fine. They adapt very easily.

Dolly

[Tiffani]

Hello!

I just moved from the US to Melbourne at the end of January, and our Weimaraner is joining us in May (then a month of quarantine, then she'll be released to us in June). The rental market in Melbourne is notoriously difficult at this time, but we managed to find a place that is almost ideal for us -- don't listen to that stuff about you don't need central heating in Australia... you do!!! (maybe not in Darwin)

Anyway, given that we had a large dog, we knew that could potentially be a liability but we didn't feel comfortable with the "don't ask don't tell" policy recommended by a fellow American expat who has a cat. To be fair it's much easier to hide a cat than a dog!

At any rate, along with my application, I wrote a quick letter explaining our situation and why we would be suitable tenants, canine and all. It was accepted immediately.

It is worth checking with the city of Perth (or the smaller cities within Perth if it's set up the way that Melbourne is) to see if your municipality of choice will allow three dogs. in the City of Monash where I live, the most dogs we can have on a premises is two. That's not a landlord/tenant thing; that's a council requirement.

As for renting a house/apartment, my general advice would be that since the rental market is so hot, people will be very quick to give you well-meaning advice which could help or hurt you... Even people who seem to know what they're talking about may not give you great advice. So when you are looking for a place out here, talk to the rental agents that you're going to be working with and ask them any questions about your situation and how best to find a good place. They know better than anyone else what their landlords want and how the system works. My rental agent was the only one who said to write a note explaining our situation; everyone else said "the less they know, the better".

Good luck! I'd rather be in Perth than Melbourne. Much better weather!

[gooch]

could anyone talk about their experience with the dog quarantine? is it just kennels, do the dogs get out to exercise, etc?
I'm thinking about moving with my dog and will also be looking to rent, I'm glad to hear that it is possible.

[Tiffani]

Hi gooch. My dog won't be imported until next month, but I've been in contact with the quarantine station and (perhaps this depends on which quarantine station you use) I can visit her twice a week and if the weather is nice, I can take her out for exercise in their exercise yard.

[gooch]

Thanks for your response - can I ask you how much it's going to cost to transport? I read somewhere else on here that it was going to cost $5,000 USD.
I'm just curious if the quarantine is like the pound, or what.
Thanks

[Dolly]

Hi gooch,

We decided not to visit Milly whilst she was in quarantine.

1. Because I'd cry

and more importantly

2. I couldn't bear the thought of seeing Milly and then leaving her again. She would be expecting to come home with us and I couldn't do that to her.

At Spotswood (Melbourne) visiting hours are varied, but are Monday to Friday (no weekend visits allowed). Only 2 visits per week. The kennels have a sheltered area and a run, it's heated in winter and dogs are exercised twice a week.

If you don't visit, you can phone each week to see how your pet is doing.

Dolly

[Tiffani]

I thought about that Dolly, but I don't think I can wait another month to see her again! It's already been since end January (all this happened really fast for us) since we left her back in the US and she won't be in Oz til May, so we're pretty desperate!