RNZ: Government announces pet bond policy for renters
The government has announced a two-week pet bond and obligations for tenants to pay for damage their animals cause in a bid to make renting with an animal easier.
It intends changing the Residential Tenancies Act next month in a bid to give pet owners more choice when trying to find a rental.
Housing Minister Chris Bishop and his dog, Ladyhawke, made the announcement alongside ACT leader and Regulations Minister David Seymour.
“He was confident tenants wouldn’t mind paying extra (set at a maximum of two weeks’ rent) if it meant their pet could move in too.”
Tenants already pay a bond to cover damage beyond wear and tear. Bonds can be up to four weeks rent. As a guide, the current mean Auckland rent is $610 per week. That’s up to $2,440 bond. Add an extra 50% of $1,220 pet bond, equals $3,660. There’s no housing crisis, poverty, large numbers of people living below the poverty line in New Zealand. We all sleep in a well made bed, right?
The announcement was all so cute with the dogs and the smooth PR. But where did this come from? Oh look, property investors. NZH in May last year: Tenancy Tribunal pet ruling sparks fears landlords won’t be able to stop tenants owning animals
The rulings stated the Residential Tenancies Act does not contain any law banning tenants from owning pets and hence clauses barring animals are not automatically enforceable.
That’s led the NZ Property Investors Foundation lobby group to get legal advice as they seek to ensure no-pet clauses remain valid, while Renters United is keen to see no-pet clauses banned.
Having a decent home is a human right. For people that have pets, finding rental housing can be challenging. Doubly so for those on low incomes or who are cash strapped. Higher returns on property investment shouldn’t take precedent over decent home rights, community stability, and having enough money to live on. Given the rate of capital gains in the past 20 years, I’m really wondering what it is about New Zealand that is so mean spirited we think non-home owners should pay for the privilege of living with a dog or cat or guinea pigs.
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