Feature article
Pets finally recognised as members of the family with new pet bonds and consent rules from December 1
Reforms to allow landlords to request a pet bond to tenants, and for current or new tenants to ask to keep a pet
For Kiwi tenants who would like a cat, dog or other pet to complete their family, new pet bonds and consent rules from December 1 make this much more possible with landlords having to explain why a pet is not allowed.
The reform to the Residential Tenancies Act will allow landlords to request a pet bond of up to two weeks’ rent to tenants, separate from the normal rental bond, and for current or new tenants to ask to keep a pet at the property.
“The assumption in this legislation has changed from being one where it’s the landlord’s choice to allow a pet, to being one where the assumption is that a pet is allowed,” explains Matt Ball, PR and Advocacy manager at the NZ Property Investors Federation.
The news is seen as positive by renters around the country, who had thought they wouldn’t be able to have a pet until they came to buy a home, which for many is a goal that is still some years away.
Wellington couple Jack and Molly, recently bought their own home in the inner city and one of the main reasons was because they wanted a dog.
“We are still glad we bought but we are happy for other renters that they can now have a pet under the new pet bonds and consent rules. We have friends who rent who are more likely to get a cat or dog now,” says Jack.
Man's best friend
Pet Refuge, the charity which gives pets temporary homes while their owners escape abusive home situations, has welcomed the move.
The new pet bonds legislation will remove a barrier that prevents people and their pets from finding safety together, says Pet Refuge founder, Julie Chapman.
“By opening their doors to pets, landlords are helping families rebuild their lives and keep every member of their family safe,” she says.
The charity likes the idea of pet owners having a CV of their pet, describing their personalities and best features. These pet references are a great way of providing peace of mind for landlords allowing pets to live in their homes, says a spokeswoman.
What to expect from December 1
From December 1, a tenant can write to their landlord and ask to keep a pet and the landlord must respond in writing within 21 days.
Any blanket lease currently saying no pets is null and void from December 1, so landlords should update their tenancy agreements to abide with the new law. But tenants will still have to ask to have a pet in writing, they can’t just go out and adopt a moggie.
In the new rules, it doesn’t define what the pet is, it could be anything, though snakes are illegal in New Zealand!
The pet bond will be used if there is damage above fair wear-and-tear. (The law allows for the landlord or property manager to require carpet cleaning to a professional standard.)
If the pet dies or is no longer living at the tenancy, the tenant can ask for the bond back.
For tenants in a shared flat situation, and one tenant has a pet that causes damage, everyone on the tenancy is jointly liable for the cost of that damage.
Disability assist dogs are exempt from needing permission to live in the home.
Pet-friendly tenancy rules begin on 1 December 2025
When landlords can say no to pets in their properties if:
- The property isn’t suitable (think small apartment, big dog)
- The body corporate of the building doesn’t allow pets
- The dog is on the dangerous dog breed list (The Dog Control Act 1996)
- The tenant hasn’t agreed to reasonable conditions, for example to pay a pet bond or carpet cleaning.
The message to landlords from the Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment, which oversees Tenancy Services is:
- Don't say "no pets" in your advert without context. This could be taken as a blanket no pets clause, and these are now illegal.
- You can say "no pets or no to a specific type of pet" if you include the reason, e.g. because the body corp rules do not allow for it.
- Even with that in your ad, if someone asks to keep a pet, you still have to provide a formal response, including reasons.
NZPIF’s Matt Ball, who researched this information, says some landlords are a bit nervous about opening their homes to pets, while others are more relaxed.
“You are providing a social good by allowing pets in your property,” he says.
Tips to landlords on managing tenants with pets
Ball, who already has a pet-friendly investment property, recommends meeting the animal before agreeing to let the property to a new tenant with a pet.
“That will give you an indication of how well behaved the dog is, what size it is genuinely, and will help you make your decision,” he says.
“If the pet’s well looked after and well socialised, then you can tell, these are good people,” he says.
Pet owners who are putting time, effort and money into caring for a pet, that’s a promising sign, he says.
“To me that is an indication that these are likely to be tenants who will care for your property, and who will be reliable, responsible tenants.”
Pet owners tend to be more stable, they often stay longer in rentals, he says.
Landlords should ensure they have a written agreement with their tenant around the keeping of a pet, says Ball.
“This should detail how many pets are allowed, what breed, what its name is, so that the pets can’t be swapped out,” he suggests.
Ball recommends landlords make the home suitable for pets, by having sturdy carpet, and avoiding loop pile carpet which dogs claws tend to catch on.
Property owners, actively wanting to have tenants with pets, can use smart advertising in their listings, describing a nearby dog park or a sunny spot in the home that the cat will love.
If a rental home is not pet-friendly, the body corp rules prevent pets, say it high up in the ad, he advises.
One question the NZ Investors’ Federation has received is if landlords can charge a bond for an existing tenancy where the tenant has a pet, and the answer is no, says Ball.
“There is no basis for which people can just impose a pet bond for an existing pet.”
As with most tenancy law changes, some cases will no doubt come to the Tenancy Services Tenancy Tribunal in the coming months and test the law, he says.
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