White picket fence

At three months pregnant with her first child, Mim never thought she’d be having to hide her pregnancy and dog from real estate agents in order to find a place to live.

35 year old Mim Zanen and her partner Lachy were living in their Collingwood apartment that had been their home for the last two and a half years. But once December rolled around they were given the choice of pay more or move out.

The rent increase they received was “well beyond our means, considering we both work full time and still couldn’t afford it.” Mim works as a drug and alcohol councillor and her partner is a full time animator and graphic designer. Living in a small two bedroom apartment with a tiny balcony that was a reasonable distance from work, was now out of their price range. Forced to look further out of the city and further away from her work, Mim applied for as many properties as she could. Inspections were “overwhelmed” with people and often properties were already leased before the inspection could happen.

Mim and her partner are expecting their first child, and already have a dog together named Clyde. The well groomed cocker spaniel enjoys couch cuddles and going on runs. “Pets are part of the family,” Mim says describing her pooch as “really sweet and really well behaved”. But for a housing application, having a pet and expecting a baby added nothing but stress to Mim’s life.

Shocked at the position she was now in, Mim said “I’ve never been rejected for a rental application before this period” stating that she knew Clyde was hindering her ability to get a house. She had been warned by multiple friends beforehand as well to hide her pregnancy from the real estate agents, as this was an easy way for them to discard her application. Juggling full time work, and the looming end of lease, Mim and Lachy had to take time off of work to go to as many inspections as possible, trying to navigate the “astronomical” rental prices, all while hiding her pregnant belly at inspections. Getting rejected again and again led them to feel they had no choice but take Clyde off of their application.

Pet ownership laws in Victoria changed in 2020 stating landlords cannot “unreasonably refuse their consent” for a new pet on an existing lease. But this doesn’t mean much for those looking for a new home with a pet already part of the family. The reality of an overflowing need for housing, means landlords and estate agents are able to choose applicants based on what they please. It is clear as animal shelters around Melbourne are overflowing with animals being surrendered due to housing issues, that there isn’t enough in place to protect renter’s and their pets.

Appalled at the animal crisis surrounding housing Mim said she didn’t understand the “stigma” against pets in the rental world, and asked “what is the bond for if damage to the property is the issue?” Having to give up her pet was not an option for Mim and Lachy. Once Clyde was removed from the application, they were immediately accepted to an apartment. She is unsure what would have happened had she not removed Clyde from the application, or hidden her pregnancy, but she says it plays on her mind for the future of their home life. Growing her family is not something Mim ever thought would be this difficult and she is hopeful that things will improve.