Pet-Friendly Rentals: Avoid These 4 DMC Traps

Many tenants overly rely on agents' verbal statements, or assume that "pet-friendly" means they can definitely keep pets, only to later discover they are actually violating the "Deed of Mutual Covenant" (DMC), get asked to remove their pets, or even receive a lawyer's letter. Below, we break down 4 common misconceptions based on real situations.

Pain Point One: If the agent says "it's fine," does that mean it's legal?

When viewing properties, some agents might say: "Even though the DMC says no, the management office usually doesn't enforce it."

The problem is: What the agent says does not equal legal protection.

The "Deed of Mutual Covenant" is a registered document that binds both owners and tenants.

Even if an agent verbally says "you can keep pets," if a resident complains, the management office or owners' corporation can still act according to the DMC clauses.

What can you do when viewing a property?

• Ask the agent to confirm in writing whether pets are allowed
• Check the DMC yourself at the Land Registry
• Don't just read excerpts; read the entire document

Pain Point Two: Does "pet-friendly estate" mean unconditional permission to keep pets?

In recent years, many estates advertise as "pet-friendly," but legally, there is no formal classification for this.

Even if a DMC allows pets, it often comes with conditions, such as:

• Must not cause nuisance to other residents
• If reasonable complaints are received, improvements or even removal may be required
• Must comply with additional estate management rules

Even if allowed, you might still violate rules. Most DMCs have a "must not cause nuisance" clause. Even if an estate doesn't explicitly ban pets, issues like:

• Prolonged barking
• Noticeable odors
• Leaving waste in common areas

could be considered a DMC violation.

Pain Point Three: If it only says "no dogs," can you keep cats?

If the DMC only explicitly prohibits dogs and doesn't mention other animals, on the surface, it might not directly violate that clause.

But the DMC needs to be read as a whole. Even if a specific animal isn't banned, it might still be restricted by other clauses, such as:

• Must not cause nuisance
• Must not affect hygiene in common areas

Pain Point Four: Is putting a dog in a pet stroller always safe?

Many people think that as long as the dog is in a fully enclosed pet stroller and doesn't touch the ground, it doesn't count as a violation.

But in practice, when the management office handles complaints, they typically consider:

• Whether there's a violation of explicit DMC clauses
• Whether it affects other residents
• If there's a history of complaints

Common handling procedures might include:

• Verifying after receiving a complaint
• Verbal reminders
• Issuing written warnings
• Referring to the owners' corporation
• Instructing lawyers to send letters to the unit owner
• In extreme cases, applying for an injunction

In reality:

• Legal actions are mostly directed at the unit owner
• If the owner incurs costs due to tenant violations, they might seek reimbursement from the tenant as per the tenancy agreement

How to reduce risks?

Rather than arguing afterward, clarify things during the tenancy agreement stage:

• In estates without explicit pet bans, you can propose an additional pet deposit
• Specify the types and numbers of pets allowed in the tenancy agreement
• Commit to covering cleaning fees upon moving out
  

When searching for a home with your furry friend, the most important thing is to read the DMC yourself, understand the restrictions, and review all documents carefully before signing.