Renters with pets now have a greater choice of properties in Newcastle, according to new data, though the number of pet-friendly listings still pales as a proportion of the overall rental market.
188 listings were marketed as pet-friendly in the 12 months to July, 2022 in the Newcastle region, a 10.6 per cent increase on the previous year, according to real estate agency Ray White.
Ray White data analyst William Clark said that the phrase 'pet-friendly' carried greater meaning in NSW, where there is no obligation on a landlord to grant permission for a pet, than in states like Victoria and Queensland, where landlords are prohibited from unreasonably withholding permission.
Despite this, Mr Clark expected that the number of pet-friendly listings in NSW would increase in future years.
"As access to pets becomes easier, there is a good chance that these expressions of permission for pets appear more frequently, as giving this permission is likely to attract a larger pool of prospective tenants," Mr Clark said.
The lack of certainty surrounding pets in rentals in NSW is weighing on some renters.
New Lambton renter Claire Flynn said she had a positive experience after applying for permission to keep a puppy in her current rental, but was concerned about finding a pet-friendly rental if her family needed to move again.
"We've been in two different rental places previously and we've been left with the impression that we've been picked above people who may have had animals," she said.
She purchased Peggy, a Cavoodle, to help the family's mental health, but said the benefits of keeping a pet in a rental went beyond this.
"It's also made us more a part of the community - there's puppies on either side of us and we've had people over for play dates.
"People are more open to going up to someone who has a cute dog and saying hello and having a chat than if you were walking down the street by yourself."
