The laws for renting with a pet
A state-by-state guide to the laws around pet ownership and rental properties
Higher bonds cannot be charged for tenants with pets or children.
https://www.fairtrading.nsw.gov.au/housing-and-property/renting/starting-a-tenancy#what
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 should seek permission from the property manager/owner to keep a pet.
A tenant can only keep a pet on the property if the tenancy agreement states pets are allowed. It may also state the number and type of pets that may be kept and whether the pet can be kept inside or outside the property.
Tenants should consider if the property is suitable for pets (e.g. enough room, fencing, pet doors) and if their pet could cause any damage to the property (e.g. torn screens or lawn damage).
The issue of pest control should also be considered.
A separate pet bond cannot be charged.
https://www.rta.qld.gov.au/before-renting/choosing-a-rental-property/pets
Rental laws changes are commencing 1 October 2022. Changes to renting with pets will allow a property owner to refuse a pet only on prescribed reasonable grounds. There are clear rules in relation to renter’s requests for pets.
For more information, visit https://tenantsqld.org.au/tenancy-law-changes/
Allowing tenants to keep pets in private rental properties is at the discretion of property owners. For strata or community title properties, approval is usually also required from the strata or community corporation.
If the landlord doesn’t accept pets in the property private renters might have to give up their pet.
For Landlords:
https://www.sa.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0014/335012/RentingWithPets_LandlordFactSheet.pdf
For Tenants:
https://www.sa.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0016/335005/RentingWithPets_TenantFactSheet.pdf
https://www.sa.gov.au/topics/housing/renting-and-letting/renting-privately/pets-in-private-rental-properties
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 on very specific grounds and with the approval of the ACT Civil and Administrative Tribunal. Pet bonds are not allowed but the tenant is responsible for any repairs or additional maintenance due to keeping a pet.
https://www.acat.act.gov.au/case-types/rental-disputes/pets-in-rental-properties
Landlords in Western Australia don’t have to allow pets in their investment properties.
However, the Department of Commerce has presented a review of the Residential Tenancy Act (RTA), in hopes of changing the guidelines to make the ability to rent with a pet the right of all tenants.
https://www.commerce.wa.gov.au/publications/rta-review-fact-sheet-keeping-pets-rental-premises
Tenants have the ability to keep a pet at their rental premises, if after 14 days of notifying the landlord in writing of their intention to welcome the proposed pet into their family, the landlord has not objected in writing and made an application to the Northern Territory Civil and Administrative Tribunal (NTCAT).
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/a-guide-to-renting-in-the-northern-territory/keeping-pets
A tenant can only have a pet at the property if the owner has agreed or it is in the lease.
Pet bonds are not allowed. Only one bond amount is allowed for a tenancy, and a pet is not able to enter into a lease.
https://cbos.tas.gov.au/topics/housing/renting/beginning-tenancy/pets
