How to be a responsible pet owner when you are a tenant

Many landlords have a strict “No pets allowed” policy, for to a variety of reasons.

According to PG van der Linde, Rentals Manager at Seeff Pretoria East, it may be that the sectional title building is completely pet-free or that the owner is worried about the pet damaging the property or receiving complaints from neighbours because of barking dogs or even roaming cats.

He added many potential tenants have pets and if a landlord doesn’t want to permit pets to live on the premises, they are essentially reducing the market for their property. The landlord will have more peace of mind once clear guidelines have been set for tenants with pets.

“Many landlords who have had a bad experience with pets in their rental property once will not allow pets in their property in future,” PG said.

This is why it is important for tenants in pet-friendly rental properties to follow the advice below:

1. Your pet should not become a nuisance or anyone else’s responsibility in the complex in which you are renting. It is best to spay or neuter cats so that they won’t roam or become noisy during the mating season.

2. Dogs should be trained not to bark unless necessary and should also not be left alone for extended periods of time.

3. If you are planning to go away, ensure that you have a reliable pet-sitter to take proper care of your pets or take them to a kennel. Lonely pets often become a nuisance.

4. Try not to buy or adopt new pets during your lease period, because you can’t be sure how a new pet will behave and whether it will cause trouble by not adapting to its new environment.

5. Be very careful about keeping pets in a furnished property as they can cause extensive damage to things like carpets, furniture and curtains.

6. Always keep your dog on a leash when walking around the complex or neighbourhood and make sure you pick up after your dog.

7. Ensure that dogs can’t get out of the grounds and make sure friends, family, domestic workers and gardeners also know to always close the gates behind them so that dogs won’t escape.

8. Help your pet adjust to your new home before you leave it alone.

9. Don’t keep aggressive pets, big or small or any animal that has bitten a person, especially a child, before. This can end up costing you dearly in financial and emotional terms.

10. If you had an outdoor cat before, don’t expect the cat to stay indoors now. Cats should also be litter box trained so that they won’t be tempted to roam outside.

11. If your pet damages a rental property, take ownership for it and repair the damage as soon as possible.