Australia has one of the highest pet ownership rates in the world at 62 per cent, but in Tasmania renters who own a pet can struggle to find a home, with many properties listed on a strict no pets policy.

Cate Hardman moved to Tasmania after 14 years renting with pets interstate: after applying for numerous properties for herself and her two dogs and being rejected, she finally found a private rental.

“I was lucky it worked out, because I was getting very stressed about it,” she said.

The Residency Tenants Act of 1997 (Tasmania) states that a tenant must not keep pets without their landlord’s permission or unless permitted to do so under the tenancy agreement.

Ben Bartl from the Tenants’ Union of Tasmania said the organisation is pushing to change the legislation.

“The Tenants’ Union’s view is pets should be allowed unless there are reasonable grounds for an exclusion,” he said, noting that “reasonable ground” could be practical issues such as a new timber floor or an unfenced back yard.

A government spokesperson said the state government “has no plans to change the current laws”.

Mr Bartl cited international research that suggested tenants with pets stay longer in a rented property if they know their animals were allowed.

Launceston-based property manager Sally Shaw agreed, saying she encourages landlords to consider allowing pets, with landlord insurance, and an additional agreement to the tenancy agreement.

She said hearing ‘horror stories’ could make property owners reluctant to allow or approve applications from pet owners, but she believed landlords who did allow pets could see properties rented faster, and with more long-standing tenants.

RSPCA chief executive Peter West said he was “anecdotally aware” that pets had been surrendered to their animal shelters by people who could not find a pet-friendly rental property.