What pet-related damage is

Pet-related damage is damage caused by any pet that is kept at the property. It is any damage caused by the pet that is more than fair wear and tear. This includes direct damage caused by the pet and indirect damage that results from keeping a pet.

Examples of direct damage could be:

• scratched floors
• chewed fittings
• stained carpets. 

An example of indirect damage could be fleas or pests bought in by a pet, causing infestation.

If there is pet-related damage

If there is any pet-related damage, it is important to know who is responsible for fixing and paying for the problem.

See the ‘Damage and repairs’ section for information about this.

Damage and repairs

What tenants are responsible for

All tenants on the tenancy agreement are responsible for the pet-related damage. This is any repairs or replacement costs for the damage.

What you are responsible for depends on if the damage was done:

• before 1 December 2025, or
• on or after 1 December 2025.

If the tenant and landlord disagree when the damage took place, the tenant will need to provide proof. This could be photos or property inspection reports.

If the damage was done before 1 December 2025

If the damage happened before 1 December 2025, the maximum amount of damage tenants can be charged is the lesser of:

• 4 weeks’ rent, or 
• the amount of the landlord’s insurance excess. 

If the damage was done on or after 1 December 2025

If the damage happened on or after 1 December 2025, tenants are responsible for the damage that is more than fair wear and tear.

For example:

• One tenant has the landlord’s consent to keep a cat at the property.
• The cat causes damage to the curtains and they need to be replaced.
• The curtains cost $5,000 to replace.
• All tenants on the tenancy agreement are responsible for the $5,000 cost.

If tenants do not agree to the damage

If the tenants and the landlord cannot agree on the damage, either party can go to the Tenancy Tribunal for a resolution.

If a tenant does not agree to pay for the damage, they can talk to the other tenants on the tenancy agreement. All tenants should try and reach an agreement about payment.

If the tenants cannot reach an agreement between themselves, they can go to the Disputes Tribunal for a resolution. The Tenancy Tribunal does not address disputes between tenants.

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Disputes process

Provide proof of the damage

If a tenant or landlord goes to a Tribunal, they will need to provide proof of the damage.

• The landlord needs to prove the damage is more than fair wear and tear.
• If a tenant thinks the damage was not caused by the pet or was not caused because of the pet, they must prove this.

Examples of proof could be property inspection reports or photos.

Damage and repairs