The laws for renting with a pet
A state-by-state guide to the laws around pet ownership and rental properties
Changes to the rental laws apply from 19 May 2025.
The changes include:
- requiring landlords to provide reasons to end a lease – ending 'no grounds' terminations for renters
- making it easier for renters to keep pets
- limiting rent increases to once per year
- preventing extra fees at the start of a tenancy, including fees for background checks and for preparing a tenancy agreement
- ensuring renters can pay rent by bank transfer or Centrepay
There is no term in the Residential Tenancies Act 2010 that prohibits you from keeping a pet. Since 19 May 2025, a landlord can only refuse a tenant's request to keep a pet for specific reasons – they can no longer refuse without giving one. The permitted reasons are: more than four animals and the number is unreasonable; fencing isn't appropriate (not valid if the landlord hasn't kept the fencing in reasonable repair); not enough open space for the animal; the animal can't be kept humanely at the property; damage is highly probable and would exceed the rental bond; keeping the pet would breach another law (council rules, strata or community by-laws); the landlord lives in the same home; or the tenant didn't agree to reasonable conditions. A landlord cannot refuse because of religious reasons, allergies (unless they live in the same home), or solely because a dog is a restricted, dangerous or menacing breed. Assistance animals don't need consent at all – the tenant should still notify the landlord.
To apply, a tenant completes the Apply to keep a pet in a rental property form and gives it to the landlord or agent (all co-tenants must sign, or the application isn't valid). The landlord has 21 days to respond in writing with any reasonable conditions or reasons for refusal – if there's no response within 21 days, the pet is automatically approved with no conditions. If the landlord refuses or sets an unreasonable condition, the tenant can keep the pet while they dispute it and can apply to the NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal (NCAT) within 28 days of the landlord's response.
Higher bonds cannot be charged for tenants with pets or children.
Pets are allowed in strata, unless the animal causes 'unreasonable interference' (for example, it is a dangerous or restricted dog). A strata by-law banning all pets outright is not valid. Also, your pet or pets must not disturb other residents in your scheme.
Resources:
https://www.tenants.org.au/resource/guide-renting-pets-nsw
https://www.fairtrading.nsw.gov.au/housing-and-property/renting/starting-a-tenancy#what
https://www.nsw.gov.au/housing-and-construction/strata/living/pets
A renter requesting approval for a pet will need to complete the consent form (Word, 583KB)
If a rental provider believes that it is reasonable to refuse consent to a pet living in the property, they will have to seek an order from VCAT to refuse the pet.
https://www.consumer.vic.gov.au/housing/renting/repairs-alterations-safety-and-pets/pets
Before renting a property, a tenant is required to seek permission from the property manager or owner to keep a pet, using the RTA's pet request form. A lessor can only refuse on specific grounds: too many animals already kept, the property is unsuitable (for example, fencing or space), the pet is likely to cause damage exceeding the bond, a genuine health or safety risk, keeping the pet would breach another law or a body corporate by-law, or the tenant won't agree to reasonable conditions.
The lessor has 14 days to respond in writing, or the request is automatically approved; disputes go to the Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal (QCAT). This regime has been in place since 1 October 2022.
No separate pet bond can be charged.
https://www.rta.qld.gov.au/during-a-tenancy/living-in-the-property/renting-with-pets
Since 1 July 2024, South Australia no longer leaves pet approval purely up to the property owner. Landlords can only refuse a tenant's pet request on specific grounds: too many animals already at the property, the property is unsuitable (for example, fencing or space), a genuine health or safety risk, keeping the pet would breach another law or a strata/community title by-law, or the tenant won't agree to reasonable conditions.
The tenant applies in writing; the landlord has 14 days to respond or consent is automatically granted, and the tenant can challenge an unreasonable refusal or condition at the South Australian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (SACAT).
No separate pet bond can be charged. Strata or community title properties may still set their own pet rules through their by-laws.
Resources:
https://cbs.sa.gov.au/documents/tenancy/fact-sheets/Renting-with-pets.pdf
https://cbs.sa.gov.au/sections/renting/renting/renting-with-pets
ACT law instructs tenants to seek permission to keep a pet at a rental property if the signed tenancy agreements requires them to do so. Landlords can only refuse consent to keep a pet on very specific grounds — among them, a real risk of unreasonable damage to the property, the premises being unsuitable for the pet, significant hardship to the landlord, a public health or safety risk, or the pet being unlawful to keep.
If the tenancy agreement requires consent, the tenant writes to the landlord to request it; the landlord can only refuse by applying to the ACT Civil and Administrative Tribunal (ACAT) within 14 days of that request — if they don't, consent is automatically granted. Pet bonds aren't allowed. The tenant remains responsible for repairs or extra maintenance the pet causes.
https://www.acat.act.gov.au/case-types/rental-disputes/pets-in-rental-properties
As of 29 July 2024, in most cases pets are allowed, however tenants must seek permission. Tenants will need to fill in an approved form to give to the landlord or agent.
A landlord can ask the tenant to pay a pet bond.
- Landlords or agents can refuse if:
- a law specifically prevents pets;
- they can prove a ‘good reason’ to the Commissioner for Consumer Protection – for example the property is not fully fenced.
- A landlord can place ‘reasonable conditions’ on having a pet – for example a bird must remain in a cage, or the carpets must be professionally cleaned at the end of the tenancy.
- A landlord or agent can use the pet bond in addition to the regular bond to clean mess and fix damage a pet has caused.
Visit the renting with pets page for more information.
Tenants must notify the landlord in writing of their intention to welcome a pet into their family. The landlord has 14 days to object and they must give written notice of their objection and apply to the Northern Territory Civil and Administrative Tribunal (NTCAT) within the same 14 days of the tenant's written request. Pet bonds are not permitted under the Residential Tenancies Act 1999.
Keeping Pets in a Rental Property Fact Sheet
https://consumeraffairs.nt.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0007/956779/keeping-pets-rental-property-fact-sheet.pdf
https://consumeraffairs.nt.gov.au/for-consumers/residential-tenancies
Since 20 March 2026, Tasmania has moved away from pure landlord discretion. A property owner can still refuse a pet, but must do so in writing with reasons and apply to the Tasmanian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (TASCAT) — valid grounds include nuisance, damage beyond fair wear and tear, or a safety or welfare risk.
If the owner doesn't respond or apply to TASCAT within 14 days of the tenant's request, the pet is taken to be approved. Guide, hearing and assistance dogs don't need consent at all. No separate pet bond is allowed in Tasmania — only the standard rental bond applies, and it can be used to cover pet-related damage beyond normal wear and tear at the end of the tenancy.
https://consumeraffairs.tas.gov.au/topics/housing/renting/beginning-tenancy/pets
