Pets in rentals and what landlords need to know

With the new rules around pets in rental properties, many Christchurch landlords are asking what they can and can’t do under the Residential Tenancies Act (RTA). The changes are designed to give tenants more certainty, but landlords still have protections, especially around consent, pet bonds, and damage liability.

Here’s a clear breakdown of what landlords need to know.

Advertising “no pets” is no longer allowed

Under the updated rules, landlords cannot advertise a rental as “no pets”. The intention behind the change is to stop blanket bans and encourage fair consideration of pet requests.

This doesn’t mean you must accept every pet. It simply means you must assess each request reasonably and on a case-by-case basis.

What happens if you ignore this rule?

Landlords who continue to use blanket “no pet” wording risk penalties for failing to comply with the law. Because the legislation requires each request to be considered individually, a blanket prohibition, even in ads, is no longer permitted.

Pet requests and written consent

If a tenant wants to bring a pet into the property, the process is now formal:

1. The tenant must make a written request.

This might be included in the application or raised during the tenancy.

2. Landlords must respond within 21 days.

If you don’t respond in time, it may be seen as an unreasonable refusal or a failure to consider the request.

3. You can decline on reasonable grounds.

Reasonable grounds must relate to risk, property suitability, or compliance. Examples include:

• The property is part of a body corporate that prohibits pets.

• The yard is unfenced, making a large dog unsuitable.

• The tenant requests multiple pets beyond what the property can reasonably accommodate.

Reasonable conditions can be added

If you approve the pet, you can set clear conditions such as:

• Professional carpet cleaning at the end of the tenancy

• Requirements for flea treatment

• Asking for a pet bond (more details below)

• Allowing specific type or number of pet(s)

These conditions must be included in the tenancy agreement or written pet consent. Note: Assistance animals are not considered as pets under the RTA.

Guide dogs and other verified disability-support animals do not require landlord consent, and no pet bond can be charged for them.

These animals are not considered “pets” under the law, so landlords cannot decline them, apply pet conditions, or treat them as part of the pet-approval process. Tenants must still take reasonable care of the property, but assistance animals are fully exempt from the pet consent and pet bond rules.

Pet bond

The new rules allow landlords to collect a separate pet bond of up to two weeks’ rent, in addition to the standard bond.

Key points:

• The pet bond is lodged with Tenancy Services.

• You can only charge it when a pet is approved.

• If the rent increases, the pet bond can also be adjusted proportionately.

• The pet bond can be used specifically for pet-related damage.

  
  

This gives landlords more financial protection and makes approving pets less risky.

Liability for pet damage

One of the biggest changes is that tenants are fully liable for all pet-related damage, beyond fair wear and tear.

This is different from normal tenant damage.

Pet damage

Pet damage is not protected by the rule relating to accidental tenant damage. This means:

• You can claim pet-related damage directly from the tenant or the pet bond.

• You do not have to go through insurance unless your policy specifically requires it.

• Landlords have clearer, stronger recourse if a pet causes damage.

  
  

This increased accountability gives landlords more confidence to approve pet requests.

Landlord insurance and pets

Many landlord insurance policies now include options for pet damage cover but not all policies are the same.

Before approving a pet, check:

• Whether pet damage is included

• Whether it covers accidental and deliberate pet damage

• Whether the insurer requires pet details noted on the tenancy agreement

• Any exclusions around breed, size, or number of pets

  
  

Regardless of insurance, tenants remain legally liable for all pet-related damage.

Allowing pets in your rental property

There are upsides to allowing pets when done properly:

• Larger tenant pool

• Reduced vacancy time

• Longer-term tenancies (pet owners generally move less often)

  
  

With clear conditions, a pet bond, and written consent, allowing pets can improve rental performance while still protecting your asset.