Bid for a pet bond, but is a child bond next

This new bond should be as high as $300 for those tenants wanting to keep pets, the representative group of the Territory's Real Estate Industry, REINT has suggested.

Many Territory tenants keep pets, particularly dogs and cats, but they are generally prohibited according to current rental laws and usually left to private negotiation.

It has been suggested if landlords want pet bonds in the Territory, they should also ask for child bonds, as children can do even more damage to rental homes than pets.

Only Western Australia has a separate pet bond at the moment.

The proposal for a pet bond is one of the discussion points in a review of the Residential Tenancies Act 1999 being undertaken by the NT Government.

People have until August 25 to comment on the review.

The review's discussion paper, which can be accessed here, said REINT has, for some time, expressed support for the introduction of a separate bond similar to that in Western Australia, which specifically covers pet related issues.

"The REINT suggests that a pet bond would increase the peace of mind that a landlord had toward permitting pets, and remove the need for the general prohibition.

"Although the REINT has not settled on an amount, it has suggested that a bond of around $300 would be appropriate," the discussion paper says.

The ACT is moving to mirror Victoria "to provide a general right for tenants to have pets" and Queensland is "undertaking stakeholder consultation on the topic".

The amount of the pet bond is to cover the cost of any fumigation after a tenant vacates and only if ticks or fleas are found.

The discussion paper says the average cost for an internal and external 'vacate treatment' for pests in Darwin is about $243.

The paper says an argument against pet bonds is that normal bonds could cover any damage which should be picked up during regular inspections anyway.

It was also suggested if landlords needed a pet bond, they should also ask for child bonds "given the propensity for children to cause damage".

It was also suggested a pet bond would make it even more difficult for new tenants to find the money to cover both bonds when moving into to a new rental home.

The NT Government says it is reviewing the Residential Tenancies Act 1999 to ensure that Territorians have more clarity around interactions between tenants and landlords.

The Act has been operating for more than 18 years and no longer adequately reflects the shift in residential rental trends which include people renting for longer periods of time.

Topics for discussion include adding air-conditioning units and heaters to the list of items requiring emergency repairs, increasing the period of notice for rent increases from 30 days to 60 days and whether landlords should be able to impose a specific pet bond.

Further issues raised in the discussion paper include changing the Act to allow tenants to make minor alterations without requiring the landlord's consent, and conversely, the Act providing sufficient protection to landlords when tenants do alterations.

The NT Government is encouraging feedback on the proposed amendments to the Residential Tenancies Act 1999 especially from tenants, landlords, real estate agents, business organisations, legal advocates and community groups.

Attorney-General, Natasha Fyles said: "The Government is committed to delivering Territorians a justice system that addresses community needs and reflects modern practices.

"This discussion paper highlights 18 broad areas of potential legislative reform and raises another nine topics for discussion and feedback.

"Issues include the increasing numbers of renters in the Territory, the rights and responsibilities of tenants and landlords regarding repairs and maintenance, lease break fees and keeping pets in rental properties."

You can make a submission here.

Katherine Times