As a renter with pets, you are probably aware that it is difficult to find pet friendly properties. One thing that could be helpful is a pet resume. Creating and using a pet resume will give your potential landlords all of the information they need to prove you and your pet will be great tenants. So, before you start house hunting, sit down and write up a resume for your pet. You can go to a lot of effort in preparing Pet Resumes, so what is it exactly, that owners want to know?
In a landlords eyes, they are looking and considering risk to their property. Some landlords have had bad past experiences, and that puts them off future tenants with pets. So we (as their entrusted property managers) need to be able to give them as much information as possible, so they feel comfortable and are sure that there is minimal risk that your pet will cause damage or be a nuisance to neighbouring residents.
Preparing and submitting a pet resume, helps put the landlords mind at ease.
Recommended Pet Resume Format
Pet Photo:
- The most common item asked for by landlords is a photo of the pet. They want to see with their own eyes what the pet looks like. I am sure as an animal lover, you have ample photos of your beloved pet that you can show the landlord.
Basic Information:
- Pet’s name/gender
- Pet’s breed
- Pet registration details (no unregistered pets will be considered – as it is a requirement to have your pet registered if over 3 months old)
- Pet’s age (a lot of landlords will comment about a dogs age – as they want to know if it is still in puppy stage and requires training)
If you want to go into further detail, the following items will also assist explaining more about your pet to the owners for consideration (but try to keep it to one page – as too much information can also be confusing for the owners).
Temperament:
- How energetic is my dog?
- How vocal is he? Does he bark a lot?
- Is he house trained?
- How does he act around strangers and other dogs?
- Does he run around inside or prefer to expend energy outdoors?
Health & Grooming:
- How often you groom your dog both professional and at home.
- What preventative measures you use for fleas.
- Note whether your dog is up to date on vaccinations.
- How often you take your dog to the vet for check-ups.
About the Owner:
- How you arrange for care when you’re out of town
- How you arrange for care when you are at work or not home.
References:
- Phone number of a former landlord.
- You may also offer the number of an old neighbour.
Offer for your pet to meet the owner. We’ve had numerous times where the landlords have loved the application based on the tenants references, however have had a bad experience and not always open to considering pets. We often recommend a pet meeting between the landlord and the pet, to put their minds at ease. Writing this on your pet resume, can also make the owners feel a little more comfortable. Just remember a landlord is not trying to be difficult, they are just trying to ensure they protect their most valuable asset.
It is also important to remember that if you have a pet, a $260 extra bond is required to be paid, and when you vacate a flea treatment and deodorisation inside the home is required. However I’m sure a small price to pay to have a happy household with your pet.
If you require further information on Pet Resumes, or any other property related matter, please contact the friendly team at Radi Estates on 9275 2945 or email info@radiestates.com.
Written by Annalisa Fonseca – Business Development Manager – Radi Estates