The rules for RENTING WITH PETS

RENTING AND CONSIDERING ADOPTING A FURRY FRIEND? HERE’S THE LATEST ON LAWS

We Aussies love our pets, so it seems unfair that if you are renting there’s less chance you can have furry friends as part of your family. The good news for Victorians is that new laws that were introduced in March allow tenants to ask their landlords in writing if they can keep pets, and landlords must not reasonably refuse. If your pet causes a mess, you may be liable to pay or compensate for any damages.

In NSW, landlords can include a clause restricting pets in the residential tenancy agreement, and there is no specific ban on them doing so. Also, if you’re in an apartment, according to the Tenants Union of NSW, most strata schemes will also have a by-law about the keeping of animals.

The by-law might allow an animal to be kept with the prior written approval of the owners’ corporation. Queensland, Tasmania and South Australia have similar laws to NSW.

Landlords in Western Australia can charge a pet bond if they approve a renter’s pet. In the Northern Territory tenants can now request in writing to their landlords to keep a pet on the premises and the landlord has 14 days to make a decision.