"The risk of damage from pets often means landlords don't wish to allow them in their investment properties.
"According to the NZ Companion Animal Council, around 64 per cent of New Zealand households are home to at least one pet."
The Franklin, Manukau region had the highest proportion of pet-friendly rentals with 23 per cent open to pets.
The region also had the smallest difference in average price - $465.30 a week without pets compared to $467.88 with pets.
"Elevent per cent of our new rentals in the past 12 months have allowed tenants to have pets, and on average have received an additional $54.46 per week," said Barfoot and Thompson.
Prices in Northland had the biggest disparity - $415.53 without pets compared to $516.25 with pets.
Top tips for renting with pets
Be honest
Be honest and upfront. Landlords appreciate tenants being straight up and may be open to the idea of a pet.
There's no such thing as too much information
Include as much information as possible in your application. What breed are they? How old? Do they have long or short hair? Do they stay home alone during the day? Where will they sleep? Do they bark?
Include references
Provide pet references if you can. These go a long way. You could get these from a previous property manager or landlord, your vet, doggy day care or trainer.
Offer to pay the full bond
Tenancy agreements can include a pet clause, outlining what will happen in the event of any damage. Landlords can also request the full four weeks bond.
If you don't ask, you don't get
It doesn't hurt to ask. Even if the ad says no pets, it's worth seeing if an exception can be made.
- Barfoot &Thompson
