Before you start — check if you need to request consent

The tenant will not need to request pet consent if:

• they already had approval to keep a pet before 1 December 2025
• the landlord has approved ongoing consent on or after 1 December 2025.

Steps to request pet consent

Only tenants on the tenancy agreement can request pet consent.

The steps to request pet consent are:

1. All tenants have a conversation
2. The tenant and landlord agree the animal is a pet
3. The tenant requests pet consent
4. Landlord responds within 21 days
5. Keep copies of pet consent documents.

Read more about what is involved in each of the following steps.

Step 1. All tenants have a conversation

If a tenant wants to keep a pet at a property where other tenants live, it is a good idea to speak with them first. The other tenants do not need to agree on getting a pet, but there are some things they should know.

All tenants on the tenancy agreement are responsible for pet-related damage more than fair wear and tear. The tenant should let everyone on the tenancy agreement know this.

Talk with other tenants before applying for pet consent

Step 2. Tenant and landlord agree the animal is a pet

The tenant and landlord should agree the animal is considered a pet before the tenant can request pet consent.

Find out what is considered a pet and the exemptions for disability assist dogs.

What is a pet

Step 3. Tenant requests pet consent

We have a form tenants can use to request pet consent. Tenants just need to fill out part A in the 'Request to keep a pet at a rental property' form.

We recommend that tenants provide information about the pet they want to keep at the property. This will help the landlord make a decision. This can include information about:

• the type of pet
• how many pets they want to keep at the property
• whether the property is suitable for the pet
• whether the pet is permitted under local council laws.

Request to keep a pet at a rental property form [PDF, 181 KB]

Request to keep a pet at a rental property form [DOCX, 57 KB]

Needing help with the form

If you cannot use our form, speak a different language, are deaf, or hearing or speech impaired, contact us.

Contact us

Step 4. Landlord responds within 21 days

The landlord must make a decision and respond to the tenant's request within 21 calendar days. This is even if the landlord has asked for more information from the tenant about the pet.

The landlord must respond in writing and send it to the tenant.

If the tenant has sent you our ‘Request to keep a pet at a rental property’ form and filled out part A, you can fill out part B.

The landlord must confirm if they have approved or declined the request.

• If they approve it, they can include conditions the tenant needs to meet (for example, paying a pet bond).
• If they decline it, they must have a valid reason (reasonable grounds).

Pet consent conditions

When landlords can refuse a pet consent

Ongoing consent

The landlord can also approve ongoing consent for specific types of pets and the number of pets.

For example, the landlord can approve ongoing consent for 1 cat at the property. If that cat passes away, the tenant can get another cat without requesting a new consent.

If the landlord does not respond within 21 calendar days

If the landlord does not respond within 21 calendar days, they could receive a penalty of up to $1,500.

Step 5. Keep copies of pet consent documents

It is a good idea for the tenant and landlord to keep copies of the pet consent request and written response.

Attach a copy to your tenancy agreement. This will help if there are any disputes about pets during a tenancy.

The tenant could be starting a new tenancy and requesting pet consent at the same time. If so, the landlord can also add reasonable conditions to the tenancy agreement.

Tenant keeps a pet without consent

If the tenant keeps a pet without the landlord’s consent, the landlord can give the tenant notice to remove the pet. If the tenant does not remove it, the landlord can follow the normal disputes process through the Tenancy Tribunal.

Disputes process