Outrage after Victorian landlord admits to illegal act: 'It's emotional blackmail'

A landlord nonchalantly admitted to charging her tenants an illegal pet bond in a move that has outraged renters around Australia.

The landlord's stunning admission was shared in an online group for landlords in Victoria last week.

Under a post asking for advice about tenants with pets, the landlord wrote: 'I would rather have pets than kids ... I would ask for a pet bond.

'I have one, it's $1,000 for damages by the pet.'

When a replying commenter told the landlord 'pet bonds' are illegal, she responded: 'I know they are not legal but I always ask for them.

'I have lots of pets personally and I don't turn down animals. Again, kids have done more damage than animals in my experience.

'Most renters are happy to do it as it means they can have animals.'

The landlord's blunt reply left Aussies shocked as 'pet bonds' are outlawed in most states and territories.

Consumer Affairs Victoria states: 'Rental providers and owners cannot ask for an additional bond as a pet bond.' 

Pets are defined as 'any animal except an assistance dog' in Victoria and all tenants are required to ask their landlord for permission to keep a pet.

Out of dozens of comments under a shared photo of the landlord's comments, nearly all thought her pet bond was fair. 

'So kinda like emotional blackmail. Nice,' one said.

'You already have a pet bond, it's called a bond. The only way something like this would be justified is if the pet was an elephant or a termite colony,' another wrote.

'I personally would not describe myself as 'happy' to be exploited over an illegal bond that I can't dispute because the alternative is that it's almost impossible to get a rental with pets,' another said.

'"Most renters are happy to pay" - I'm sure none of them are happy but they need somewhere to live without having to give up their pet,' another wrote.

The landlord's $1,000 pet bond was also much higher than what is legal in states where the extra insurance is allowed.

In Western Australia, landlords are only permitted to charge up to $260 for a pet bond.

'If the tenant is permitted to keep pets capable of carrying parasites which can affect humans, a pet bond may be charged,' WA's Department of Industry Regulation states.

'The pet bond can only be applied to the cost of any fumigation of the premises that may be required at the termination of the tenancy.

'A maximum amount of $260 may be charged for a pet bond, irrespective of the number of pets being allowed. Tenants must not be charged a pet bond for an assistance dog.'

However, commenters weren't sure anything could deter the brazen landlord as she didn't seem to care whether or not her bond was 'legal'. 

'I'm kinda surprised she doesn't insist on kid-bonds. Given that "that would be illegal" doesn't seem to bother her,' one wrote.