No pets, no smokers...

There are many challenges to living in Auckland’s North Shore.  Housing prices are exorbitant and the current lending rules that you must have a 20% deposit are not possible for the average family.  This and the fact that we lost a significant amount of money on our Palmerston North house sale mean that we are forced to rent.

This brings me to my latest bugbear, practically every decent house that is for rent has a stipulation that says, “no dogs, no smokers”.  This drives me INSANE!!!  My house is cleaner and tidier than about 70% of the rentals that we look at.  I think that it is incredibly unfair that owners/landlords can make such a stipulation without even doing a reference to see if you are a good tenant or not.

Surely it counts that we have always been thanked and commended at every inspection, that we have never missed or been late with a payment and that we have improved practically every property that we have lived in, at our own expense.  Why is it that having a dog is seen as a negative?  My dog is unmistakably less of a problem to have in the house than most children!  This is not to say that this should become a rental stipulation, but it is just as ridiculous!

Another absolute blood-boiler is when ad’s read “cat ok, no dogs”.  WTF have you ever smelled cat pee?  Wowzers! Have you ever seen what cats can do to curtains, drywall and carpet?  Again, this is not to upset my feline friendlies because cats are great pets, if you are not allergic to them.  However, I don’t quite get what makes a cat a better tenant than a dog?  Can anyone explain that to me?  

It can’t possibly have anything to do with cleanliness, my dog is bathed regularly (and I don’t mean licking herself) she is non-shedding and perfectly domesticated. Nope, my dog is clean as!  Also, my dog goes outside to do her business – there is no smelly litter box in my house.  

Picking up the poop in the garden? Duh, we also use it and prefer not to have to dodge the landmines, so yes, we pick it up! 

No pet stains or hair either – I have not heard of a non-shedding cat?  Except for maybe the hairless ones.  

My dog has never brought a dead rat into the house as a "special gift".

It can’t have anything to do with barking or noise because the landlord would not be affected by this. Aside from the fact that my dog only barks when there is action. Also, have you ever heard a cat fight in the middle of the night?  Nah, it can’t be the noise.  
Is it the idea of fleas and worms?  Uh-hum, cats can get those too and because our dog is an inside princess she has regular flea treatments and is de-wormed 3 times a year as recommended by our vet. This has NEVER been a problem in our home.

So what is it?  What on earth makes a dog a bad tenant?  Can someone please explain?  Come on Auckland landlords wake up and smell the money – not all dog owners could/would/should appear on “Renters”. Just once I would like that stupid show to show the great tenants and celebrate the fact that we also exist (even when we have a dog in our family).

Here are a few facts about dog owners easily found on the internet…

• Dogs are a great source of social and emotional support for everyone.
• Dog owners have great self-esteem, are more physically fit, less lonely, more conscientious and friendly.
• Dog owners are less likely to suffer from depression than those without pets.
• A study showed that people with dogs often experience the greatest health benefits. 
• Not only do children who grow up with pets have less risk of allergies and asthma, many also learn responsibility, compassion, and empathy from having pets.

“Some landlords believe pets cause damage to their property and furnishings. However, often the reality is that pets are no trouble and are in fact, a signal that the tenant is committed to making the property a home. Turning down tenants with pets may mean that landlords are not only forgoing good tenants, but losing out on longer lets." 

"It makes me wonder how many pets get dumped because their owners can't find a place to live."


References 
http://www.independent.co.uk/property/why-pet-owners-make-good-tenants-9275232.html 
http://www.fetchmag.co.nz/ARTICLES/TRAINING++SKILLS/Renting+with+dogs.html 
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/aucklander/news/article.cfm?c_id=1503378&objectid=10991758 
http://www.helpguide.org/life/pets.htm
http://news.distractify.com/geek/science/reasons-you-absolutely-need-a-dog-in-your-life/