What is a pet
If a tenant wants to keep an animal as a pet at their property, the tenant and landlord should agree it is a pet. Find out what is considered a pet and the exemptions for disability assist dogs.
If a tenant already had approval to keep a pet before 1 December 2025, you do not need to agree on what is a pet. This is because there are different rules if a tenant started keeping a pet before 1 December 2025.
Definition of a pet
The Residential Tenancies Act 1986 does not define what a pet is.
This means it is up to the landlord and tenant to agree on what is considered a pet.
Every rental situation will be different. When deciding whether an animal is a pet, consider whether it is:
- kept mainly for companionship or leisure
- domesticated and lives in or around the property
- usually seen living at a residential property.
Disability assist dogs
Disability assist dogs are exempt from pet rules in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986. These are dogs that are certified by the organisations listed in Schedule 5 of the Dog Control Act 1996.
Dog Control Act 1996 — NZ Legislation(external link)
Examples of disability dogs include:
- guide dogs
- hearing dogs
- mobility assistance dogs
- autism service dogs.
An emotional support animal is not a disability assist dog.
If the tenant has a disability assist dog, the landlord must allow them to keep the dog at the property. The tenant does not have to request pet consent or pay a pet bond for their disability assist dog.
Find out more about identifying disability assist dogs, providers and regulations on the Department of Internal Affairs (DIA) website.
If you agree the animal is a pet
If the tenant and landlord agree the animal is a pet, the tenant must request consent from the landlord to keep the pet.
Landlords must respond to this request within 21 calendar days.
Only tenants on the tenancy agreement can request consent to keep a pet.
If you do not agree the animal is a pet
If the tenant and landlord do not agree the animal is a pet, the pet consent process does not apply.
This means the tenant will need to talk to the landlord about whether they can keep the animal at the property. The landlord can agree or not agree to have the animal at the property.
If you are unsure about having a conversation, there are some tips in our self-resolution guide.
If the tenant thinks the animal should be considered a pet, they can apply to the Tenancy Tribunal. The Tenancy Tribunal can make the decision.
Last updated: 01 December 2025
