'Pets are part of our families': Queensland pushes for new laws forcing landlords to allow pets

‘Pets are part of our families’: Queensland pushes for new laws that would force homeowners to allow tenants to keep animals

Every homeowner in Queensland could be forced to allow tenants to have pets
The proposed new laws come after similar rules passed in Victoria this month
Owners would need to give consent but could only refuse in certain situations
The reforms would also allow renters to freely hang their photos on the walls

By Charlie Coe For Daily Mail Australia

Published: 10:38 BST, 30 September 2018 | Updated: 10:38 BST, 30 September 2018

Every homeowner in one Australian state could be forced to allow tenants to have pets in an overhaul of renting laws.

Landlords in Queensland would still need to give consent to their tenants owning a pet under a state review called Open Doors to Renting Reform, but could only refuse in certain circumstances.

The review, which was announced by the state government on Sunday, would come after legislation in Victoria passed in September giving renters the same right.

Every homeowner in Queensland could be forced to allow tenants to have pets in an overhaul of renting laws (stock image)

Housing minister Mick de Brenni said the new laws, which will also allow tenants in the state to hang photos on the wall freely, could ‘make renting fairer for everybody’.

‘Pets are part of our families,’ the minister said according to ABC News.

‘In other jurisdictions across the country, they have established a regime where we can make easier arrangements on having a pet.’

RSPCA Queensland announced last year that people moving home was one of the top three reasons why pets were turned into them.

Over the past two years, the RSPCA said 15 per cent of the dogs and cats surrendered nationally were given to them because owners could not take their pets to their new home.

A consultation of renters, estate agents and homeowners will launch this week to begin the review process – described as long overdue by Deputy Premier Jackie Trad.

Housing minister Mick de Brenni (pictured) said the new laws, which will also allow tenants in the state to hang photos on the wall freely, could ‘make renting fairer for everybody’

Tenants will receive an e-mail on Sunday asking how they think renting could be improved in the state, with submissions open until November 30.

She told reporters South Brisbane alone had seen a 123 per cent rise in the number of rental properties on the market and the appropriate laws in the state needed to be modernised.

State Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said the proposed tenancy law review would replace legislation which had not been changed in 40 years.

The review on rented housing, which was announced by the state government on Sunday, would come after legislation in Victoria passed in September giving renters the same right (stock image)