If you’ve ever tried renting in Melbourne with dogs, you know the struggle is real. The waitlists. The inspections, the hesitation from landlords the moment they hear the word “dogs.” When I was facing a major life transition with no rental history, no time on hand, and with two dogs in tow, I didn’t think I’d find a place that was flexible, safe, stylish, and actually welcomed my dogs.
So this post is for anyone who’s ever typed “dog friendly rentals Melbourne” into a search bar and felt hopeless. Because when I found Fitzroy & Co by EST Rentals, everything changed for us. If you’re in a transition phase, moving cities, or just want to know what built-to-rent living is really like, this is our honest experience after six months living in one of Melbourne’s’s most thoughtfully designed pet-friendly communities.
What Is Built-to-Rent?
Built-to-Rent (BTR) is a modern housing model where an entire apartment complex is owned and operated by a single entity, often the developer. That means no private landlords, no inconsistent rules, and no stress when it comes to maintenance or lease renewals.
In Melbourne Victoria, BTR is growing fast, and for good reason. It’s perfect for people in life transitions (like I was), expats moving without rental history, dog parents who need flexibility and space, renters with dogs tired of the usual rejection even though dogs/pets are legally allowed in rental
Personally, for me, BTR meant I could move in quickly, without judgment, into a place that embraced my lifestyle with dogs.
Our Dog Friendly Apartment Setup
At EST, we live in a spacious light filled one-bedroom apartment that fits the three of us just right. It comes with
- A large kitchen where I prep all of Ollie’s and Winky’s meals and treats
- Electrolux appliances – included even in unfurnished units (washer, dryer, microwave, oven, dishwasher)
- A generous balcony with self-draining tiles, perfect for midnight emergencies on the potty plant and a balcony tap to hose down the space (game changer)
- Customisable interiors – we’ve hung artwork and created a home that reflects us (thanks to the amazing maintenance team who even help hang things!)
- Space inside for dog beds, crates, a pram, and storage, without feeling cramped.
Pet-Friendly Amenities At EST
In Victoria, landlords can’t legally refuse pets, but not all buildings are built with pets in mind. At EST, Ollie and Winks aren’t just accepted, they’re loved and cared for.
Rooftop dog park with turf and sprinklers to wash away after toilet breaks. It’s large enough for play time and social time with other doggos in the building.
Pet spa for that has been pretty nifty for DIY dog washing and drying. Poodle and Poodle mix parents knows how wonderful it is to have one in hand for their high-maintenance coat
Most of all, Ollie and Winks are welcomed by everyone, Our neighbours adore them, always happy to cuddle, care for, or even dog-sit when I need help
Other Amenities That Make Life Easier
Est offer a variety of lifestyle amenities that make life just easy.
Work-from-home spaces & meeting rooms: I often use these because Winks has a habit of photobombing my meetings
Technogym equipped gym: plus space to have community yoga sessions (mats and equipment supplied)
Level 10 shared spaces: Equipped with a coffee station, a full kitchen, private dining, a cinema room, a record lounge, a BBQ, and an outdoor terrace with city views
Rooftop BBQ with sweeping city views (perfect for sunsets, sunrises with hot air balloons on the horizon and also the New Year’s Eve fireworks)
Other: Maintenance team and concierge for everything from deliveries to minor repairs, Parcel lockers for unattended packages
All of it is managed through the dedicated EST app. That makes it easy to book amenities, track deliveries, organise dry cleaning, unlock my apartment and even share virtual keys with neighbours to check in on Ollie and Winks.
Community, Connection, and What Really Matters
Amenities are nice, but what makes BTR different from other rentals is the community. We live in a world where most of us don’t know our neighbours, but at EST, there is a true community feeling. Everyone’s either new to the city, in a life transition, or far from home, which creates the perfect ground zero for connection. In just a few months, we’ve built friendships that feel decades deep. Women’s dinners to share life’s highs and lows, movie nights, potlucks, birthdays, pub trivia across the road, but most importantly, support when it counts, have facilitated these relationships to become lifelong.
Special mention to ‘Est connectors’ who organise all the events from making sure the table is reserved at the pub across the street for trivia nights, cleaning up after pizza nights and potlucks to making sure we all know each other and we are a part of the community that alway welcome each other.
As a single dog mum, I can’t express what a relief it is to know I never have to worry when I need help with Ollie and Winks. That kind of support is priceless.
Dog Friendly Neighbourhood
I’ve lived in different suburbs in Melbourne for over a decade, and Fitzroy North is by far my favourite suburb so far. It is surrounded by trendy suburbs like Fitzroy, Brunswick, and Northcote, but also near leafy Clifton Hill. It’s walking distance to dog-friendly parks like Edinburgh Gardens, Darling Gardens, and the iconic Merri Creek Trail. We love walking to Dirty Apron or Uncle Drew after a morning walk. If you’ve been following us on Instagram, you may recall semi-viral pics of Ollie and Winks at Monty’s Bar? Where else in Australia lets your dog inside like that?
Isn’t Built to Rent Expensive?
In the end of the day EST is a luxury rental, but when you break it down, the value is actually incredible.
- No need for a separate gym membership
- No pet daycare costs thanks to in-building support
- No car needed as we’re next to major tram, bus and train lines
- And no extra payments for dog-friendly amenities
In the end we are paying for peace of mind, lifestyle, and freedom. And to us, that’s absolutely worth it.
Final Thoughts
EST Rentals came into our lives at the exact moment we needed them. We originally signed a 6-month lease, but we loved it so much that we ended up extending our lease. We’re happy, safe, supported, and finally truly enjoying this chapter.
If you’re going through a life change, navigating the rental market with pets, or simply want a new way to live, we couldn’t recommend it more.
Disclaimer: This post is part of a paid partnership with EST Rentals. However, all views are based on my lived experience since December 2024 to now (August 2025).
