Pet rental rules: What you need to know

For many of us in Aotearoa, a house isn't a home without our four-legged friends. But finding a rental property that welcomes pets has often been a bit ruff.

The good news is that upcoming changes to the Residential Tenancies Act are set to make things fairer for both renters and landlords. From 1 December 2025, new rules will come into effect that remove blanket "no pets" bans and introduce a specific "pet bond".

Here’s the lowdown on what these changes mean for you, whether you’re listing a property or looking for your next whare.

No more blanket bans

Historically, landlords could include a blanket "no pets" clause in tenancy agreements. From 1 December, this is changing. Landlords will no longer be able to unreasonably refuse a tenant's request to keep a pet.

However, this doesn't mean every property must consent to every pet. Landlords can still decline a request, but they must provide "reasonable grounds" for doing so.

Examples of reasonable grounds might include:

• The property size or type: A Great Dane might not be suitable for a small apartment with no outdoor area.

• Rules or bylaws: If there is a rule or bylaw that prohibits the pet or pets from being kept on the property. 

• Suitability: If the pet is demonstrably unsuitable for the property (e.g., a dog that has been classified as dangerous or menacing under the Dog Control Act 1996).

You can’t say no just because you "don't like pets" anymore. It’s about practical suitability.

When giving consent to a pet request, landlords may attach reasonable conditions. 

Introducing the "Pet Bond"

To give landlords more peace of mind, the legislation introduces a new pet bond which a landlord can choose to charge.

• The Cap: This bond is capped at a maximum of two weeks’ rent.

• In Addition: This can be charged in addition to the standard four-week rental bond.

• Specific Use: This money is held by Tenancy Services and can only be used for pet-related damage (like scratched door frames or stained carpets), not for general rent arrears or standard wear and tear.

Tenant liability

The new rules make it crystal clear: tenants are fully liable for any accidental or deliberate damage caused by their furry whānau. The pet bond acts as a safety net to cover this liability.

If tenants don’t agree to pay a pet bond, then the landlord can decline the pet request. 

What about existing tenancies?

If you are already renting and have a pet that was approved before 1 December 2025, the rules are slightly different:

• No Retroactive Bonds: Landlords cannot retroactively charge a pet bond for a pet that is already part of the approved tenancy agreement.

• New Pets: If you are a current tenant and want to add a new pet after 1 December, the landlord can request a pet bond for that new addition.

Tips for tenants

If you're looking for a place for you and your pet, or asking your current landlord for permission, it helps to be prepared.

• Put it in writing: You must get the landlord's permission in writing.

• Prepare a "Pet CV": Include a photo, vaccination details, and a reference from a previous landlord or vet about your pet's temperament. This builds trust and makes it easier for a landlord to say "yes".

Next steps

We recommend everyone brush up on the details before the December 1 kick-off.

• Landlords: Review your current listings on Trade Me to ensure they align with the new "reasonable grounds" criteria. Most rental listings should be listed as either “Pets: Yes, or Pets: By consent”.

• Tenants: If you're house hunting, check out our rental listings and have your Pet CV ready. You can still apply a ‘Pets OK’ filter to your search, to exclude the few properties out there that may not be suitable for any pets.

For more advice, head over to the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development website.

If you have concerns about a listing that doesn't seem to follow the rules, you can report it using the Community Watch button at the bottom of every listing.