Pet Handbook and Guidelines When Renting

New South Wales

Local Council Registration:

If you have a dog or a cat in NSW, you must register it with the local council.

Pet Bond:

It is not a legal requirement to pay a pet bond. These are unlawful practises in NSW.

Legal requirements and rights:

There is no term in the Residential Tenancies Act 2010 that prohibits you from keeping a pet.
There is no legal requirement that requires you to ask for your landlord’s consent before you keep a pet, however, read below.
Many landlords will include a clause restricting pets in the residential tenancy agreement (i.e., your lease), so you will need to check your lease agreement. There is no specific ban preventing them to include this in your agreement.
Noise and nuisance
- If you have a pet that makes excessive noise, this could breach your tenancy agreement.
- If you have a pet that causes other forms of nuisance, this could breach your tenancy agreement.

Cleaning and Damage:

You may only be required to have the premises professionally cleaned, fumigated, or similar if it is necessary to rectify an issue. Your managing agent must provide evidence of the work needed to be carried out if they think there is an issue.
If your pet causes damage to the premises, it will be your responsibility to fix or pay for the damage.
- Examples include;
  - Scratching doors
  - Scratching of floorboards
  - Smells or odours caused by your pet
  - Carpet stains from urine or similar
- The cost of the damage is subject to ‘mitigation of loss’ and ‘fair wear and tear’.

Managing Agent or Owner is Inspecting the Property:

If you have informed the managing agent or owner and have prior approval of the pet, it is a good idea to inform them where the pet is usually kept, and the process for accessing the property. This could help stop an unwanted escape from your animal.
- If they do leave a gate or door open, they may be liable for compensation to you.
If you have not informed the managing agent or owner and there is no clause in your agreement preventing you from having a pet, it is a good idea to inform them now, in addition, to where the pet is usually kept, and the process for accessing the property.

What forms can/should I use:
TOP TIP: Use the Rent Rabbit’s forms

Victoria

Local Council Registration:

If you have a dog or a cat in VIC, you must register it with the local council.

Pet Bond:

It is not a legal requirement to pay a pet bond. These are unlawful practises in VIC.

Legal requirements and rights:

Renters who want to keep a pet MUST ask their rental provider/landlord for permission
A pet request form should be completed, located here
- The rental provider has 14days once they receive the form to decide
  - If they agree, they must complete their section of the form
  - If they don’t agree, they should apply to VCAT
  - If the rental provider does not respond within 14-days, the renter can keep the pet
You can negotiate conditions, i.e., the pet must be kept outside.
If I rental provider believes the renter is keeping a pet without consent, they can apply to VCAT to exclude the pet from the property.
New laws restrict rental providers including a clause restricting pets in the residential tenancy agreement. However, pre-March 2020 lease agreements may still have these clauses, and therefore it is enforceable.
Noise and nuisance
- If you have a pet that makes excessive noise, this could breach your tenancy agreement.
- If you have a pet that causes other forms of nuisance, this could breach your tenancy agreement.

Cleaning and Damage:

You may only be required to have the premises professionally cleaned, fumigated, or similar if it is necessary to rectify an issue. Your managing agent must provide evidence of the work needed to be carried out if they think there is an issue.
If your pet causes damage to the premises, it will be your responsibility to fix or pay for the damage.
- Examples include;
  - Scratching doors
  - Scratching of floorboards
  - Smells or odours caused by your pet
  - Carpet stains from urine or similar
- The cost of the damage is subject to ‘mitigation of loss’ and ‘fair wear and tear’.

What forms can/should I use:
TOP TIP: Use the Rent Rabbit’s forms

Queensland

Local Council Registration:

If you have a dog or a cat in QLD, you must register it with the local council.
You cannot keep rabbits as pets in QLD, click here for more information.

Pet Bond:

New laws in effect in QLD starting October 2022 will enable rental providers to request a pet bond of up to $250. However, this pet bond is secured for fumigation purposes only.
- It would be used for fumigation if needed (rental provider must provide proof it is needed), or;
- Returned if fumigation was not needed.

Legal requirements and rights:

New laws relevant to QLD October 2022
- A renter can seek the property owner’s permission to keep a pet, and property owners can only refuse a request on identified reasonable grounds, such as keeping the pet would breach laws or by-laws
- The property owner must respond to a request for a pet in writing within 14 days, or consent is implied
- The property owner’s consent may be subject to reasonable conditions such as the pet has to be kept outside.
  - A rent increase or a pet bond are not reasonable conditions.
Noise and nuisance
- If you have a pet that makes excessive noise, this could breach your tenancy agreement.
- If you have a pet that causes other forms of nuisance, this could breach your tenancy agreement.

Cleaning and Damage:

You may only be required to have the premises professionally cleaned, fumigated, or similar if it is necessary to rectify an issue. Your managing agent must provide evidence of the work needed to be carried out if they think there is an issue.
If your pet causes damage to the premises, it will be your responsibility to fix or pay for the damage.
- Examples include;
  - Scratching doors
  - Scratching of floorboards
  - Smells or odours caused by your pet
  - Carpet stains from urine or similar
- The cost of the damage is subject to ‘mitigation of loss’ and ‘fair wear and tear’.

What forms can/should I use:
TOP TIP: Use the Rent Rabbit’s forms

South Australia

Local Council Registration:

If you have a dog or a cat in SA, you must register it with the local council.

Pet Bond:

It is not a legal requirement to pay a pet bond in SA. These are unlawful practises in SA.

Legal requirements and rights:

All residential tenancies are bound by the Residential Tenancies Act 1995
Current laws allow property managers/landlords to refuse a pet in their property without stating a reason.
You must notify and have consent from your property manager/agent to have a pet in your property.
Noise and nuisance
- If you have a pet that makes excessive noise, this could breach your tenancy agreement.
- If you have a pet that causes other forms of nuisance, this could breach your tenancy agreement.

Cleaning and Damage:

You may only be required to have the premises professionally cleaned, fumigated, or similar if it is necessary to rectify an issue. Your managing agent must provide evidence of the work needed to be carried out if they think there is an issue.
If your pet causes damage to the premises, it will be your responsibility to fix or pay for the damage.
- Examples include;
  - Scratching doors
  - Scratching of floorboards
  - Smells or odours caused by your pet
  - Carpet stains from urine or similar
- The cost of the damage is subject to ‘mitigation of loss’ and ‘fair wear and tear’.

What forms can/should I use:
TOP TIP: Use the Rent Rabbit’s forms

Western Australia

Local Council Registration:

If you have a dog or a cat in WA, you must register it with the local council.

Pet Bond:

Pet bonds up to $260.00 are permitted in WA.

Legal requirements and rights:

A tenant can only keep a pet at the property if the tenancy agreement states they are allowed.
You must notify and have consent from your property manager/agent to have a pet on your property.
Noise and nuisance
- If you have a pet that makes excessive noise, this could breach your tenancy agreement.
- If you have a pet that causes other forms of nuisance, this could breach your tenancy agreement.

Cleaning and Damage:

You may only be required to have the premises professionally cleaned, fumigated, or similar if it is necessary to rectify an issue or it is specified in your rental agreement.
If your pet causes damage to the premises, it will be your responsibility to fix or pay for the damage.
- Examples include;
  - Scratching doors
  - Scratching of floorboards
  - Smells or odours caused by your pet
  - Carpet stains from urine or similar
- The cost of the damage is subject to ‘mitigation of loss’ and ‘fair wear and tear’.

What forms can/should I use:
TOP TIP: Use the Rent Rabbit’s forms