Cosimo “I have had pets do a lot of damage to strata property or more than the bond.”
You are correct Cosmo. Don’t even start me on the damage. I have an investment property and my tenant moved in a dog without my knowledge or permission and against the bylaws. I only found out when other residents complained about it. He moved out when he was told he had to get rid of the dog. The place stunk, the carpets were stained and had to be replaced, and the underlay was covered in watermarks and mould from the dog urinating inside. The courtyard was covered in dog poop which I had to pick up. Paintwork and drapes were also damaged by the dog. It cost me $11,000 to fix the damage and the bond didn’t go anywhere near close to covering it. I also lost a couple of months rent while getting the unit ready for a new tenant.
There are also medical reasons for not allowing dogs in strata. Years ago I got a job in the west of NSW where I rented a strata property that went with the job. The previous tenant had kept a dog in the unit. Dog hairs were stuck everywhere to the carpet and two industrial cleans didn’t get rid of them. Not only was I constantly having to brush dog hairs off my clothes, but they gave me asthma to the extent that I had to move out and give up the job.
I have had very bad experiences with dogs as a tenant, an owner occupier and a landlord and am very strongly against them being allowed in strata complexes.