Relocating With Your Furry Friends? What You Need To Know
Moving from one residence to another is never easy regardless of whether the move is to the next suburb, the closest city, another state or overseas. There are seemingly endless details to attend to, so that all your possessions and your family members arrive at the new destination safely.
Requirements for Moving with your Pets
It is even more complicated when your pets are moving with you. If you have purchased your own residence, you have most likely checked that the property is pet friendly, and your type of pet is permitted to live in the area. If you are renting, there are other requirements to be met before your pet is safe and secure in the new residence.
Licences and Permits Required for Some Pets in WA
This is particularly important for people moving to Western Australia from the eastern states. Apart from dogs, cats and agricultural animals, owners require an import licence and a permit from the WA Department of Parks and Wildlife to bring other pets with them when they relocate. Many birds, reptiles and amphibians from the eastern states pose a threat to the native flora and fauna of Western Australia so check with the authorities before the move.
Here at Bunbury Real Estate, we are accustomed to dealing with questions from tenants about pets such as cats and dogs, and we are aware of the requirements for permits for other pets. Some of our property owners permit tenants to have pets, and in Western Australia, lessors (property owners) can legally require a tenant to pay a pet bond, as well as the usual tenant security bond.
Lessors Legally Allowed to Charge a Pet Bond
The law states that where tenants are permitted to keep pets that can carry parasites that are able to transfer to humans, the lessor may charge a pet bond. The only exception is if the pet is an assistance dog, in which case they cannot. In a residential tenancy the pet bond must be no more than $260 unless set by regulation, and for a long-stay tenancy in a residential park, no more than $100.
Bonds Lodged with the Bond Administrator
The total security bond is lodged as normal with the Bond Administrator as a single amount, with the amount of the pet bond specifically noted. Because pet bonds are not usual in the eastern states, a tenant coming from there may not know this. Providing such advice to tenants is part of our role as property managers.
Check Local Government Requirements and Get a Good Freight Company
Our advice is to also check the local government regulations regarding enclosures, fencing, amongst others, and only use reputable freight companies with experience in transporting pets. We want you and your pets to love it here, so if the trip is as hassle-free as our tenancy process, you may want to stay.
