NSW Tenancy Law Reforms: A New Era for Pet Friendly Renting

Lauren Mills
4 days ago
3 min read

The recent amendments to the Residential Tenancies Act 2010, enacted through the Residential Tenancies Amendment Act 2024, have significantly changed the terms for pet ownership in rental properties across New South Wales. These changes, effective from 19 May 2025, aim to balance the rights and responsibilities of tenants and landlords, fostering a more inclusive and transparent rental market.

🐾 Key Changes to Pet Ownership in Rental Properties

1. Formalised Pet Application Process

Tenants wishing to keep a pet are required to submit a formal application using the prescribed form. Landlords are required to respond in writing to the request within 21 days. A Landlords failure to respond within this timeframe results in automatic approval of the pet request without conditions.

2. Defined Grounds for Refusal

Landlords can only refuse pet requests based on specific grounds, including:

The property is unsuitable for the type of animal (e.g., lack of appropriate fencing or insufficient space).
Keeping the animal would contravene existing laws, by laws, or community rules.
The landlord resides at the property and does not wish to live with a pet.
The tenant has not agreed to reasonable conditions proposed by the landlord.

These grounds aim to ensure that refusals are based on legitimate concerns rather than arbitrary decisions.

3. Reasonable Conditions for Pet Approval

Landlords may impose reasonable conditions when granting pet approval, such as:

Requiring professional carpet cleaning or fumigation at the end of the tenancy if the pet is kept indoors.
Restricting certain animals from being kept inside the premises.

However, conditions that are deemed unreasonable, such as increasing rent or bond due to pet ownership, are not permitted.

4. Dispute Resolution Mechanism

If a tenant believes a pet request has been unreasonably refused or that imposed conditions are unreasonable, they can apply to the NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal (NCAT) for review. NCAT has the authority to overturn refusals or modify conditions to ensure fairness.

5. Continuity of Pet Approval

Once a pet is approved, the consent remains valid for the life of the animal, even if there is a change in landlord, property manager, or tenancy agreement.

🔙 Previous Pet Policies in NSW Rentals

Prior to these reforms, NSW tenancy laws allowed landlords to refuse pet requests without providing a reason. Tenants were required to seek permission to keep a pet, and landlords could deny such requests arbitrarily. This lack of transparency often led to uncertainty and limited options for pet owning tenants.

🐶 Examples of Animals Typically Restricted Indoors

Under the new laws, landlords can impose reasonable conditions, such as restricting certain animals from being kept inside the premises. This typically applies to animals not usually kept indoors, including:

Chickens
Goats
Other livestock

These conditions are designed to ensure the suitability of the property for the specific type of animal and to maintain the property's condition.

🏘️ Implications for Tenants and Landlords

These changes represent a significant shift towards more pet friendly rental practices in NSW. For tenants, the changes provide clearer pathways to pet ownership and greater security in their living arrangements. For landlords, the legislation offers a structured framework to assess pet requests, balancing tenant desires with property considerations.

It's important for both parties to familiarise themselves with the new provisions to ensure compliance and to foster positive tenant landlord relationships.

📚 Additional Resources

As the rental landscape evolves, staying informed about legislative changes is crucial. These reforms mark a progressive step towards accommodating the needs of pet owners within the rental market, promoting inclusivity and fairness for all stakeholders involved.