🏡 What’s Changing
From 1 December 2025, the new pet rules aim to create a fairer balance between landlords and tenants. Here’s what you need to know:
- Tenants can request to keep a pet — landlords must consider the request and can only decline on reasonable grounds.
- “No pets” clauses will no longer automatically hold up unless the landlord can justify their refusal.
- A new “pet bond” (up to two weeks’ rent) can be charged in addition to the standard tenancy bond.
- Tenants are responsible for any pet-related damage that goes beyond fair wear and tear.
- Existing pet agreements made before 1 December 2025 won’t need to be re-negotiated or have a new bond added.
- Certified Assistance dogs (e.g., guide dogs or service animals) are excluded from these requirements.
🧾 For Landlords: How to Get Ready
Here are a couple of practical steps to take before the rules kick in:
1. Define “reasonable grounds” for declining a pet (e.g., unsuitable fencing, small unit size, body corporate restrictions). Get in touch with us if you believe you may have grounds to refuse a pet, we’re available to help clarify.
Reasonable clauses can include - ensuring the pet is de-sexed, vaccinated, micro-chipped and regularly flea’d and wormed.
2. Check your insurance cover to ensure pet-related damage is included.
3. Agree in writing on any cleaning or maintenance expectations at the end of the tenancy. Ie - Professional Carpet Cleaning required
💡 Tip: A proactive approach can attract longer-term, more responsible tenants — pet owners tend to stay longer when they find a welcoming home.
🐾 For Tenants: What You Need to Know
If you’re planning to rent with a pet after 1 December 2025:
- Always ask for written consent before bringing a pet into your rental.
- Be ready to present your pet well — provide references or a short “pet CV” to show you’re responsible.
- Understand you may be asked to pay a pet bond (up to two weeks’ rent).
- Take responsibility for any pet-related damage beyond fair wear and tear.
- Keep your pet’s vaccinations and registrations up to date.
- Maintain outdoor areas and ensure noise or damage is managed.
- Communicate early if there are any issues — it builds trust and makes future requests easier
- If you already had approval for your pet before 1 December 2025, you won’t need to re-apply or pay a new bond.
Got questions about how the new Pet Rules might affect your tenancy or rental property? Get in touch with us at Haven Home Rentals — we’re here to guide you through the changes and keep things simple.
