How pet requests work in NSW
NSW rules now set out how a tenant can ask to keep a pet and how a landlord must respond. A request can only be refused on the grounds the rules allow, and it must be answered within the time they set. If you do not respond in time, the request may be treated as approved.
Your team will tell you when a request arrives, explain what it means for your property and help you reply in the correct form and on time.
- Reply to any pet request promptly through your team.
- Base any refusal only on the grounds the rules allow.
- Keep the request and your response on file.
What to consider
Think about the property as it is: the size of the yard, fencing, flooring and whether it is a house or an apartment. For apartments, strata by-laws and building rules also apply, and the owners corporation may have its own process for approving pets.
Many pet owners are long-term, careful tenants. Being open to suitable pets can widen the pool of applicants for your property.
- Check fencing, gates and outdoor areas.
- For apartments, check the strata by-laws on pets.
- Ask about the type and number of animals proposed.
Conditions on approval
An approval can come with reasonable conditions that the rules allow, such as having carpets professionally cleaned at the end of the tenancy. Your team can tell you which conditions are permitted for your situation.
Put any conditions in writing as part of the approval so the tenant knows what is expected from the start.
- Agree any conditions with your team before approving.
- Record the approval and its conditions in writing.
- Note the pet in the tenancy file.
Protecting the property
A detailed ingoing condition report and routine inspections are the best protection. Any damage caused by a pet is treated like other tenant damage and can be claimed against the bond; normal wear and tear cannot.
Check with your insurer what your landlord insurance covers for damage caused by pets, as policies differ.
- Make sure the ingoing condition report is thorough.
- Look for pet-related wear and damage at routine inspections.
- Check your landlord insurance policy for pet damage cover.
Let’s talk about your property.
Discuss your plans and the next steps with our team.
