Pet ban idea could hit apartment values, say Gold Coast developers

A proposal allowing bodies corporate to ban pets in group-title properties has met with criticism from various stakeholders of the Gold Coast property market, who say it could wipe off 20 per cent of the value of an apartment.

A recommendation to the Queensland government in the 2017 Government Property Law Review calls for giving bodies corporate or a building’s original owner the power to issue a bylaw banning pets, reported the Gold Coast Bulletin. 

If passed, the radical changes to strata laws would put the power back in the hands of bodies corporate and building developers.

However, industry professionals have slammed the move. 

The Queensland Commissioner for Body Corporate and Community Management said blanket pet bans are “unreasonable”.

Ace Body Corporate Management state manager Georgia Cook, who lives at Mermaid Beach, told the Gold Coast Bulletin that the overwhelming sentiment coming from the properties under her management is that pets are a “must have” living option and blanket bans would work against that.

“Bodies corporate need to start making decisions that act to permit family style living, and for many that involves pet-friendly bylaws,” she said.

Cook said there is a link between allowing pets in buildings and above average apartment values.

“Some industry experts have estimated that a crackdown on pets in apartment buildings could cost owners 20 per cent of the value of their properties.”

Pet-friendly apartment buildings also tend to produce longer leases, higher rents, smaller vacancy rates and more loyal tenants, she added.

Apartment developer Andrews Projects director Danny Andrews said developers who impose a pet ban shoot themselves in the foot.

“You are excluding a part of the market,” he said.

Andrews has a pet-friendly policy with all its buildings.

He suggested pets can be managed in apartment buildings by limiting their size and creating pet-free zones.

Developer Barry Morris, who has two buildings under construction in Broadbeach and Burleigh Heads, said banning pets was a “ridiculous” idea. He allows pets up to 15 kg in his buildings.

Those wanting to make submissions have until May 5 at QUTreviewBCCM@justice.qld.gov.au.