Renting with cats in Perth

[Nyxkat]

Hi folks,

I've been a lurker here for a while now and you're all so very helpful.

We have a bit of time yet, as we're waiting until late August to move to Perth (bf has PR has til Nov to move. I will be applying defacto partner onshore).

We have 2 cats we're bringing with us (aware of area regs and already planning to have them indoors plus cattio so they cannot roam) and we have a crazy schedule to juggle with us flying, cats flying, everyone in quarrantine etc. This means we have a relatively short time period to secure a rental we can take the cats to. The areas we are looking at so far are Freo or close to it (we want to be close to rail transport) or possibly Aubin (bf is undecided, I'm happy to be in both places so he gets to choose ).

So I am asking you POI folks for some advice. Have you had a similar experience? Do you know a reputable housing agent that knows places that allow pets? Have you got a favourite agent that has dealt with you very well? Got any advice or info? Please help!

We have started the process with petair, we are aware of local regs on moggies and will be responsible with them. We are aware it is trickier to find a place thst allows pets and we are in the fortunate position to offer 6 months or even a year in advance. We have looked into it and while we can stretch we would prefer to stay around the $500 to $550 a week max. It us just us two and the two cats, no kids. Ideally we want a house rather than an apartment 2bed min with some outdoor space (enough for a cattio and to have a barbie without wedging people into a tiny space meant for 2)  and parking for 1 car off street.

TIA

Nix

[Jon the Hat]

I would be giving myself plenty of time to find somewhere personally - landlords prefer no pets generally for new tenants, so if you are up against those without you will miss out.

Perhaps leave the cats here in a cattery they know for a month before shipping them?

[AliQ]

8 hours ago, Nyxkat said:

Hi folks,

I've been a lurker here for a while now and you're all so very helpful.

We have a bit of time yet, as we're waiting until late August to move to Perth (bf has PR has til Nov to move. I will be applying defacto partner onshore).

We have 2 cats we're bringing with us (aware of area regs and already planning to have them indoors plus cattio so they cannot roam) and we have a crazy schedule to juggle with us flying, cats flying, everyone in quarrantine etc. This means we have a relatively short time period to secure a rental we can take the cats to. The areas we are looking at so far are Freo or close to it (we want to be close to rail transport) or possibly Aubin (bf is undecided, I'm happy to be in both places so he gets to choose ).

So I am asking you POI folks for some advice. Have you had a similar experience? Do you know a reputable housing agent that knows places that allow pets? Have you got a favourite agent that has dealt with you very well? Got any advice or info? Please help!

We have started the process with petair, we are aware of local regs on moggies and will be responsible with them. We are aware it is trickier to find a place thst allows pets and we are in the fortunate position to offer 6 months or even a year in advance. We have looked into it and while we can stretch we would prefer to stay around the $500 to $550 a week max. It us just us two and the two cats, no kids. Ideally we want a house rather than an apartment 2bed min with some outdoor space (enough for a cattio and to have a barbie without wedging people into a tiny space meant for 2)  and parking for 1 car off street.

TIA

Nix

Hi Nix, there are no "agents" as such who specialise renting out properties that allow pets. You need to do the legwork yourself by contacting all the estate agents in the area you wish to live, directly, and ask what they have available.

And speaking from experience, it can be very hard to find properties in popular areas that permit pets. You may have to stay further afield and settle for a "lesser" property.

And, and again based on our own experience, do NOT sign a contract for a property unseen. You may be lucky, but it's a huge risk and we would never do it again.

Good luck with your travels Nix.

 

 

 

[Marisawright]

8 hours ago, Nyxkat said:

Do you know a reputable housing agent that knows places that allow pets? Have you got a favourite agent that has dealt with you very well?

Remember that agents are paid by landlords, not by tenants, so don't expect any of them to act in your interests.  Unless you're somewhere rural, few agents will take a tenant under their wing and actively find a property for them.   It will be up to you to do the legwork.

AliQ is right, do NOT sign a lease without viewing the property.   Agents shamelessly Photoshop the pictures they post on the internet.  Unless you have someone local who can inspect the property for you, your only option is to book an AirBnB or holiday rental for 3 or 4 weeks while you look for a home.

[MacGyver]

The rental market is crazy in Perth at the moment so I would follow Marissa's advice and book an Airbnb that allows pets for at least 1 month, to give plenty of time to search around. A year ago the Perth market was really flat and you could take your pick of houses and negotiate prices down, but due to covid its gone the other way and landlords can be very fussy about tenants.

Having said that, we moved rentals within the last few months, with a dog and we haven't had too many issues with finding rental properties (then again we only apply for those that say "pets considered/pets allowed" on the ads). A lot of it is about how you present your application, giving evidence of ability to pay, providing all the docs they want and we always put a one page letter with our application explaining who we are, where we work, we're boring so they don't need to worry about parties, we'll be respectful of the property etc etc. You'll also have to pay a pet bond and I can't remember the exact amount but I think it's a maximum of about $260. We also offered several months rental up front in the past and the real estate agent told us they weren't legally able to accept that, so I'd be wary of anyone asking for that sort of payment. A standard 2 weeks rent up front plus 4 weeks rent as bond plus pet bond is all you should ever pay.

Best thing to do is go on realestate.com.au and domain.com.au and search in your favoured areas, within your price range, and be prepared to compromise on cost or area or size. If it isnt mentioned on the ad, send an enquiry and ask if they allow pets and most agents will let you know within a day, so at least you dont waste your time applying for a house that isnt suitable. Some don't allow pets, some allow only dogs, some allow only cats, some say pets allowed but dont really want them so choose someone without pets so always check with the agents listed on the ads.  Nobody will rent a house to you unless you (or someone on your behalf) views it first, which is better anyway as some areas look good on paper but when you go to a viewing you realise it might not suit you after all. So for now, keep researching, book temporary accommodaiton for your arrival and then prepare yourself to go to a LOT of viewings and apply to multiple properties for the first few weeks after arrival.

[Nyxkat]

Thanks all, there's there's lot of helpful info in your posts. I had seen on the PIO housing forum about must view due to old images but photos hopping them too yikes. I've seen the fish eye lens trick a couple of times (it's also used in the UK and you learn to spot the slight curves it gives) used to make rooms look bigger.

Re cats we are flying them out shortly after us - I am trying to balance getting enough time to find a place and one of the cats separation anxiety. The fewer moves he has to do the better for him. I like the idea of a pet friendly airbnb but most of those seem to be aimed at dogs after a long search so it is likely he will stay in the cattery this side a bit longer. He doesn't have one he is used to as we had someone come in took after them while we were on holiday the last three years.

It seems a bit strange it being illegal to accept payment up front,  but there's a lot of little changes I will learn along the way I am sure hehe.

We do have a friend that we can ask to view properties for us so If he is good with that the possibility of getting something sorted before we fly is appealing to us also.

13 hours ago, AliQ said:

Good luck with your travels Nix. 

Thank you. We're very excited!

Nix

[Tulip1]

Best to look for those that say pets accepted but it’s worth trying those that don’t state that. Some say no pets allowed so no point in trying them but I know someone who has moved into two different rentals in the past 18 months with a dog. Neither stated pets allowed but they just asked, saying they have a well behaved, fully house trained mature dog etc and it was ok. It’s true that Perth rental market has gone mad and that will make it much harder for you. You may well have to accept somewhere that isn’t in the best condition.  Someone who’s spent money on a posh house/furnishings will of course be more fussy.  What’s most important though is you and your cats are together and you can make any house a home. Good luck. 

Edited February 19, 2021 by Tulip1