The best and worst places to rent with a pet in Melbourne
When a house inspection is due, Chris is worried about a lot more than cleaning. The 25-year-old organises a friend to look after his dog, and hides any trace of his four-legged friend: food, water bowl, leashes and toys. He is worried if his landlord finds out about the pooch, he could be kicked out of the house he shares with three friends in Melbourne’s inner south. Strict pet bans force renters to surrender their animals, RSPCA says." /> Strict pet bans force renters to surrender their animals, RSPCA says. Photo: Robert Peet Chris, who requested anonymity, said he struggled to find a pet-friendly rental. “The rental market is so tight now that even finding a house was hard enough,” he said. Data suggests his experience is not uncommon. An analysis of rental listings has found just five per cent of properties are marketed as pet-friendly, despite more than 60 per cent of Australian households owning a pet. Experts say the rental sector’s hardline stance towards pets...