Update: From 1 December 2025, new tenancy rules take effect.
- Landlords must consider every pet request on a case-by-case basis and can only refuse on reasonable grounds (for example, body corporate restrictions or genuine property unsuitability).
- Landlords may now request a pet bond of up to two weeks’ rent in addition to the standard bond.
- Tenants are fully liable for any damage caused by their pets..
What the new law means for landlords
Landlords can’t simply advertise or state “no pets” by default anymore. Pet requests must be considered individually, and any refusal must be based on reasonable grounds, such as:
- The property being unsuitable
- Body corporate or local council restrictions prohibiting pets
- Health or safety concerns (e.g. allergies in shared housing situations)
Even when a pet isn’t allowed, landlords should be ready to explain the reason in writing if asked by the tenant.
If you grant consent, you can:
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Request a pet bond (up to two weeks’ rent) to help cover potential pet-related damage
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Include clear conditions in the tenancy agreement about where pets can go, maintenance expectations, and cleaning obligations
- Reassess consent if the pet causes ongoing issues or breaches those conditions.
Benefits of allowing pets
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Attract more tenants: With around 60 % of Kiwi households owning a pet, allowing pets opens your property to a wider audience.
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Reduce vacancies: Pet-friendly homes are let faster and often command slightly higher rent.
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Encourage long-term tenancies: Once tenants find a suitable home for their pet, they’re more likely to stay longer.
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Transparency: When pets are declared and approved, you maintain visibility and control rather than facing “secret” pets later.
The best thing to do is to consider each tenant with pets on a case-by-case basis. For peace of mind, you can ask to see a pet reference, meet the pet, talk to previous landlords about their experience during reference checks, talk to the applicants about who looks after their pet when they're away on extended trips or during work hours.
Managing potential downsides
While tenants are now fully liable for pet damage, prevention is still key.
- Inspect regularly: Routine inspections can help identify and resolve issues early.
- Document pet conditions: Specify acceptable pet types, numbers, and areas (e.g. “small dog allowed outside only”).
- Address complaints promptly: If neighbours raise concerns, record them and communicate clearly with the tenant.
Tip: Hard-floor surfaces like tile or laminate are easier to maintain than carpeted areas for pet-friendly homes.
Remember renting to tenants with pets is about tenants, not about pets.
You can get a good idea during the screening process if the applicants are responsible and genuine people who care for their animals and the homes they live in.
Add extra clauses to the tenancy agreement:
- You can specify the number of pets allowed, pet type, breed, and even specific animal by name. If anything were to happen to the animal, the tenants would need to re-apply to have a replacement pet.
- You can ask your tenants to clean/pick up after their pets promptly and regularly.
- You could ask tenants to notify you immediately if the pet caused any damage. So you can address and fix things quickly.
Open and transparent communication helps maintain a good relationship with tenants and may encourage them to uphold their rental and pet agreement.
The information contained in this article is exclusively for promotional purposes. It does not in any way constitute legal advice and should not be relied upon as the basis for any legal action or contractual dealings. The information is not and does not attempt to be, a comprehensive account of the relevant law in New Zealand. If you require legal advice, you should seek independent legal counsel. myRent.co.nz does not accept any liability that may arise from the use of this information.
