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How pet-friendly features can fetch tail-wagging returns
With Tasmania becoming the latest state to abolish blanket “no pets” rules, effective 20 March 2026, landlords nationwide can no longer refuse pets without reasonable grounds.
According to McGrath Estate Agents CEO John McGrath, with 73 per cent of homes having a pet, properties that cater to the nation’s four-legged friends were in high demand.
“There’s anecdotal evidence to suggest that being pet-friendly can increase property value by 10 per cent,” McGrath said.
“As for landlords, there’s plenty of research that shows tenants will pay extra for a place where their pets are welcome – in some cities to the tune of a 30 per cent premium.”
Despite the common belief that property owners oppose pets on their properties, Katherine Gaitanos, McGrath Estate Agents’ head of company-owned property management, said many landlords were open to pets, especially when all the information was provided.
“I think owners are quite open and willing to have pets within their properties as long as they meet the property’s requirements,” Gaitanos said.
She said that giving landlords an understanding of the pet that would inhabit the dwelling, such as breed, size, age and immunisation status, went a long way towards providing comfort to the property owner.
For landlords who still had reservations about the idea, Gaitanos said they could request a pet reference from a former property manager and that having dedicated insurance would provide significant peace of mind.
“A good landlord insurance will cover up to $70,000 worth of damages, so most owners are naturally pretty protected.”
“For a few hundred dollars a year, it is complete peace of mind.”
With peace of mind about the security of their property, Gaitanos said landlords were less likely to have reservations about listing it for rent.
While many home owners get landlord insurance from their regular provider, Gaitanos said they should consider looking elsewhere for a tailored policy with full coverage.
Gaitanos said that landlords can also rely on their property managers to educate tenants on how to manage their pets on the property.
“Our job is to provide education to our tenants, but most importantly, landlords.”
“It's something we say when we are onboarding new clients to our business; landlord insurance is a must.”
“It's not a huge extra workload for property managers, but it’s just making sure that it’s within their dialogue when they’re talking to tenants,” she said.
She said that property managers should provide tenants with a guide when moving in that details ongoing expectations for the pet, as well as a vacate guide on how to return the home to its prior condition, including carpet treatments and fumigation.
Rather than being glossed over, Gaitanos said that pet-friendly features, such as floorboards, outdoor areas and pet entrances, can make the property stand out and attract more interest.
“We are trying to change the stigma that pets are a problem; they are not a problem.”
“I think those sorts of properties will stand out from an investor's point of view as being really open in their marketing campaign,” she concluded.