Pets provide much needed quality of life, mental health benefits and companionship but too many renters say they can’t find homes that allow dogs and cats.
Perhaps the Residential Tenancy Act hasn’t kept pace with the times since it was last updated in 2004 to allow for special damage deposits for pet owners. For many, home ownership is now simply not an option, thanks to our current housing crisis. And with rental vacancy at less than one per cent, landlords can have their pick of the litter, which invariably means no fur babies.
The rental industry says pets simply cause so much damage, the extra half-month’s rent landlords collect as a damage deposit doesn’t cover the cost of repairs. But with market rents around $1,200 per month even for older one-bedroom suites, we’re not convinced dogs and cats are capable of putting that big a dent in the bottom line (unless they’ve learned to operate power tools).
Studies have shown renters with pets tend to lease for longer terms, providing stability for landlords.
We are cognizant as well about concerns over pet allergies, noise and interaction with other residents so perhaps an outright ban on discriminating against pets isn’t the answer, but surely there is some wiggle room.
Starting a process to level the playing field for renters would be a cheap and easy pre-election-year gift from the province to animal lovers, of which there are many.
Our SPCAs and other adoption agencies could certainly do with fewer mouths to feed as well.
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