Pet Legislation Update – Residential Tenancies
In April 2026, the government introduced updated provisions relating to the keeping of pets in residential rental properties.
The primary objective of these changes is to ensure that landlords are required to give reasonable consideration to tenant requests to keep pets, rather than applying blanket prohibitions.
A key feature of the amendments is the introduction of the ability for landlords to request a pet bond of up to two weeks’ rent, in addition to the standard tenancy bond.
Since the implementation of these changes, Tenancy Tribunal decisions have further clarified the scope of a landlord’s ability to decline pet requests. The Tribunal has confirmed that refusals must be based on reasonable and justifiable grounds, and has overturned decisions where landlords have attempted to impose blanket restrictions without sufficient cause.
These determinations also reinforce the principle that landlords may impose reasonable conditions on tenancy agreements in relation to pets, provided such conditions are proportionate and defensible.
This development also highlights the importance of appropriate insurance coverage. We can confirm that our recommended landlord insurance provider includes cover for pet-related damage under eligible policies.
