Pets in rentals: the new rules

How pet bonds work

New rules introduce a dedicated pet bond, allowing landlords to request an additional, capped and refundable bond when you rent with an animal. It sits on top of your standard bond and is held the same way, returned at the end of the tenancy provided there is no pet-related damage beyond normal wear and tear. The point is to give owners confidence to say yes to pets, while keeping your money protected and accountable.

What a landlord can and can’t do

A landlord can set reasonable conditions around pets and request the pet bond, but a blanket, no-reasons ban becomes harder to justify under the new framework. They can consider the type of property, body corporate rules, and the specific animal, but the expectation is a fair, case-by-case decision rather than an automatic no. That shift gives responsible pet owners a much stronger footing.

Making a strong request

Treat your pet like part of the application. Put your request in writing with the breed, age, whether the animal is desexed and house-trained, and a reference from a previous landlord or your vet. Offering the pet bond up front and explaining how you’ll manage cleaning, noise and any damage signals that you’re a low-risk tenant and makes approval far more likely.

Your responsibilities

Renting with a pet comes with clear duties: keeping the property clean, preventing damage, and being considerate of neighbours. If your pet does cause damage, the pet bond is there to cover it, but staying on top of grooming, repairs and any issues during the tenancy protects both your bond and your relationship with the owner, making your next rental easier to secure.