Tasmanian Liberals propose bill to allow pets in rentals, but industry insider predicts landlords will push back

ABC NEWS (Australia)

If you rent a property in Tasmania, you will know how difficult it can be to find a place that will allow pets. But things are about to get better for tenants.

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00:00In good news for dogs everywhere, pet owners will soon have stronger rights in rentals.

00:07So what will the new rules be?

00:10If changes to tenancy laws go through parliament as the government intends, a tenant would

00:14be able to keep a pet at their property as long as they've notified the owner.

00:19If they take issue, they'd be able to take it to a tribunal.

00:23They'd have to convince the tribunal the animal was a nuisance, would cause damage or would

00:28pose a safety risk.

00:30Now, what happens if the animal causes damage to the property?

00:34Well, as per usual, if damage is caused, then the tenant will need to fork out to get it

00:38fixed.

00:39And it's important that the tenant returns the property to the way it was at the beginning

00:43of the tenancy, otherwise it'll come out of the bond.

00:47The bill also specifies that guide dogs are exempt from this legislation and they're not

00:51considered pets, meaning users and trainers of guide dogs can continue to have them on

00:56their property.

00:57The legislation will bring Tasmania in line with other states and territories.

01:01Victoria, Queensland SA, the ACT and the NT have all eased laws around no pet clauses

01:07in rental agreements.

01:09In New South Wales and WA, tenants can ask to have a pet in a rental, but the landlord

01:14has to grant permission.

01:16It's important to note that the legislation still needs to be debated, so some of these

01:20details could change slightly, but it does have broad support.

01:27For more information visit www.casagrandeaz.gov

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