The following is the accompanying document to our presentation to BC’s 2018 Rental Housing Task Force. While not comprehensive, in 30 minutes we intended to cover some of the most important topics within the housing struggle we British Columbians find ourselves in, as they relate to the severe lack of affordable pet-friendly housing, and what we can do about it.
Renting to humans without pets is just as risky as renting to those humans if they do have pets. Bottom line, it’s humans who are responsible for 90% of damage done by animals. If humans keep their pets clean, groomed, exercised, properly supervised, and loved, those pets are highly unlikely to cause problems or damage. It’s only when humans neglect, abuse, or ignore their pets that damage may be done by stressed out, ill, or desperate animals. Judgements are being misdirected — pets are rarely the problem. When was the last time that police had to attend a rental property being overrun by drunk and destructive pets????
I’m currently trying to find a place to live and because I own a medium sized dog and two cats that are well-behaved and listen to me. I can’t seem to find a home for us. The housing market is already crazy enough add no pets and it’s impossible to find a place. I’ve been looking for 2 months and September 1st I have to be out of my place. I think it’s unfair that if we were made to pay a pet deposit that should be it . allergy free might be what we need to look at
I live in Ontario and want to move to BC. I was born in BC.
I have had cats and a dog for decades and am a tenant.
It is never an issue. There is no talk of “damage” done by pets. That is ridiculous. I may not move there because of this unfair right to have pets taken away.