t’s common for many rental spaces to have a no pets policy for various reasons such as protecting other tenants who might be allergic to pets, promoting cleanliness in the area, avoiding wear and tear issues, not having an insurance policy that covers pets, and more. Unfortunately, some pet owners think that they can get away with this rule by sneaking in their animal best friends. If you’re a pet owner who has done it a few times in the past and think that the property manager will never catch you in the future, then think again. Hiding your furry friend from the landlord can spiral into something much worse.
Here are a few reasons why you should not go against this policy:
#1 Sneaky Neighbors
There are all kinds of neighbors. Some mind their own business, while others seem to find joy in gossiping and snitching on their neighbors as well. Not to mention those people who have a close relationship with the landlord. They can easily spill your little furry secret and cause trouble for you and your pet.
#2 Possible Eviction
If you get caught, there’s a high probability that your rental bond will be forfeited and that you will be forcefully evicted from the vicinity. Plus, you will have to suffer the long-term consequences of having a black mark on your tenancy record. This is not even the worst-case scenario. If your pet bites another tenant, then the latter can sue the property manager. As an effect, the property manager can then file a case against you. You could have avoided all of this if you only followed the policy at your rental.
#3 Additional Costs
Residents of Western Australia will have to pay a pet bond if they bring a pet inside a rental property. The fee is steep but it’s typically not more than $260. Although that might be quite a lot of money for simply sneaking in a pet, chances are your landlord will not even sufficiently recover enough funds to clean up after your animal friend. Pets normally cause a ton of wear-and-tear on the property which include scratched surfaces, torn curtains, broken vases, nasty odors, and destroyed carpets. Don’t forget the fleas, ticks, and fur that can get trapped in crevices. The property owner will have to purchase replacements of destroyed items, hire a repairman, and book a professional cleaner. They basically have to spend a good amount of money to get the property back to its tip-top shape before another occupant rents the place again. Doing so will not just maintain the quality of the place but also prevent potentially life-threatening events such as the next tenant suffering a fatal asthma attack from all the pet dander.
#4 Dead Give Away
Even if your acting skills can potentially get you to Hollywood, your pet can pretty much spill the beans just by being itself. They can howl, screech, scratch, bark, run around, and topple things over, just to name a few. Even if they’re well trained, there’s no 100% guarantee that they wouldn’t do any of those simply because it’s their nature.
#5 Your Pet Will Suffer
It’s unfair for your pets to be constantly reprimanded if they try to make a noise and do what normal animals do just because you don’t want to get caught. Pets, especially dogs, need walks, sunlight, and exposure to new surroundings. They need a bit of socializing with other animals and humans as well. If you truly love your pets, then you wouldn’t just lock them up at the property.
Being able to relax at home is essential for every person’s well being. If you opt to hide a pet at your rental place, then you’ll constantly be on the edge worrying about getting caught. Therefore, It’s easy to conclude that sneaking in your pet is absolutely not worth the hassle and risk.