Previously a very onerous exercise, renting with pets has just become significantly more achievable for NSW tenants (YAY!), thanks to groundbreaking changes to the Residential Tenancies Act which finally came into effect in 2025. The reforms have made it significantly easier for tenants to rent with pets, recognising the incredibly important role that our pets play in our lives. With more and more people now having pets instead of children and with more and more people renting, the tide is turning as more people vote with their paws.
At Find My Rental Property, our agents are on hand to provide expert advice for your application and pet-friendly rental search. Contact us today.
The Best Advice and Guidance for Renting with Pets in Sydney – Understanding your Rights
The new legislation fundamentally shifts the balance. Before, landlords could refuse a pet for any reason or for no reason at all - it was felt that it was their right to ultimately decide if animals ought to live in their homes. Now, landlords cannot unreasonably refuse a pet. If a tenant submits a pet application, that application is taken to be approved if the landlords has not rejected the application within 21 days.
If the landlord intends to refuse the application, they must give a reason, and the refusal can only be based on permitted reasons:
Too many animals for the property – keeping the pet would push the household beyond a “reasonable number” of pets. “Reasonable” is thought to be four animals but naturally there is a difference between four goldfish and four dogs.
Inappropriate fencing (for animals that live outside)
Not enough open space (for outdoor animals)
High risk of damage or cost beyond the bond – but the landlord must weigh the tenant’s proposed safeguards (eg pet gates, keeping the animal outdoors)
Health or safety hazard – The animal is venomous, aggressive, or otherwise poses an unacceptable risk to people. Certain breeds of dogs would likely not be allowed.
Contravenes a law or by-law – Local council, body corporate or park rules, breed bans, wildlife regulations, etc. But, note that strata by-laws cannot prohibit pets.
Tenant rejects reasonable conditions for keeping a pet – for example, refusing end-of-lease carpet cleaning or flea treatment that’s proportionate to the pet; refusing to ensure that the pet is on a leash when on common property.
Landlord shares the premises – If the owner lives onsite and has allergies, phobias or similar legitimate concerns.
Premises can’t humanely accommodate the pet – The dwelling’s layout or environment would prevent proper care of the animal; this also includes animals that are too large for the property.
As before, assistance animals receive special consideration. Tenants with an assistance animal (such as a guide dog) do not require the landlord’s consent to keep those animals. However, they should still notify their landlord about the presence of an assistance animal and also notify the strata committee.
At Find My Rental Property, we specialise in securing pet-friendly rental properties for our clients. Contact us today for expert help!
Conditions for Pet approval
Landlords may approve pets – but specify conditions. For example, they can require:
The carpets be professionally cleaned at the end of the tenancy if the animal lived indoors and it’s appropriate for the type of animal and the rental property (eg, it’s not appropriate to place this requirement for keeping a goldfish).
The premises be professionally fumigated at the end of the tenancy (this can only be a condition if the animal is going to live indoors and is a mammal).
The animal be kept outdoors (this is only appropriate for animals that are not usually kept indoors such as chickens and goats).
The animal be registered with the local council (for animals that can be registered)
The animal be registered with the strata committee
That appropriate noise and nuisance prevention measures are taken
That the animal not be allowed to defecate on common property
But there are some conditions that landlords cannot require. These include:
An increase to the rent payable, or the bond required
Additional security such as insurance
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Special Considerations for Strata Schemes
Most units fall within a strata scheme which has certain requirements for pets.
These cannot be over-ridden by residential tenancy laws (ie, they trump whatever is stated in the Residential Tenancy Act)
What this means for tenants
Dual approval process – Tenants need approval from both the strata committee and their landlord before the animal can move in
Review the strata bylaws – These must be provided to tenants prior to signing the lease. They cannot impose blanket pet bans, but they can provide reasonable reasons for refusal, such as refusing animals that are known to be dangerous or aggressive. They can also specify rules that pet owners must follow which relate to noise, defecation and control of the animal whilst on common property
Is this all good news for Sydney renters with pets?
In our opinion, it is great news for established tenants who are seeking approval for a new pet. The laws now support tenants to rent with pets, save for a few reasonable reasons for refusal.
But what about tenants who are applying to rent a new home with a pet?
It’s true that owners cannot unreasonably refuse a pet, but it is also true that owners can refuse a tenancy application without providing a reason. It is well-known that Sydney is one of the most competitive cities to live in, and so, it remains that when presented with two excellent applications – one with pets and the other without, the one without will often win the property. It is also true that early on in a rental campaign, an owner may prefer to keep their property on the market for longer hoping to secure a pet-free tenant, than to approve an earlier applicant with a pet.
So yes, unfortunately, the bias persists. Sydney’s competitive rental market means that good homes will often attract multiple applicants, and pet-friendly homes may command premium prices.
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