Outrage after Victorian landlord admits to illegal act: ‘It’s emotional blackmail’
A landlord nonchalantly admitted to charging her tenants an illegal pet bond, a move that outraged tenants across Australia.
The landlord’s stunning admission was shared last week in an online group for landlords in Victoria.
Under a post asking for advice about tenants with pets, the landlord wrote: ‘I’d rather have pets than children… I would ask for a pet bond.
“I have one, it costs $1,000 for pet damage.”
A Victorian landlord casually admitted she charges her tenants a ‘pet bond’ despite knowing ‘they’re not legal’
The landlord said she charges her tenants the ‘pet deposit’ ‘for damage caused by the pet’ (photo, landlord comments)
When a commenter told the landlord that “pet bonds” are illegal, she responded, “I know they’re not legal, but I always ask about them.
‘I personally have many pets and I don’t reject animals. Again, children have done more damage than animals in my experience.
‘Most tenants like to do it because they can keep animals.’
The landlord’s blunt response left Aussies shocked as ‘pet bonds’ are banned in most states and territories.
Consumer Affairs Victoria states: ‘Rental providers and owners cannot request an additional deposit as a pet bond.’
Pets are defined in Victoria as ‘any animal other than a service dog’ and all tenants are required to ask their landlord for permission to keep a pet.
Of the dozens of comments under a shared photo of the landlord’s comments, almost all thought her pet bond was fair.
‘It’s a bit like emotional blackmail. Nice,” someone said.
‘You already have a pet bond, it’s called a bond. The only way something like this would be justified is if the pet was an elephant or a termite colony,” wrote another.
“Personally, I wouldn’t describe myself as ‘happy’ to be exploited because of an illegal connection that I can’t dispute because the alternative is that it’s almost impossible to get a rental with pets,” said another.
“Most tenants are happy to pay – I’m sure none of them are happy, but they need a place to live without having to give up their pet,” wrote another.
The landlord’s $1,000 pet bond was also much higher than what is legal in states where the extra insurance is allowed.
In Western Australia, landlords can charge up to $260 for a pet deposit.
Pet bonds are illegal in most Australian states and territories but are legal in Western Australia, where landlords can charge up to $260
“If the tenant is allowed to keep pets that may carry parasites that can affect humans, a pet deposit may be charged,” WA’s Department of Industry Regulation states.
‘The pet deposit can only be applied towards the cost of any fumigation of the property that may be required upon termination of the tenancy.
“A maximum pet deposit fee of $260 may be charged regardless of the number of pets allowed. Tenants may not pay a pet deposit for a service dog.”
However, commenters weren’t sure anything could deter the brazen landlord as she didn’t seem to care whether her deposit was ‘legal’ or not.
“I’m a little surprised she’s not pushing for child bonds. Considering ‘that would be illegal’ doesn’t seem to bother her,” one person wrote.