The rules are clear on process, but not yet on what counts as ‘reasonable’
New Zealand renters gained expanded rights to keep pets in rental properties in December, when the Residential Tenancies Amendment Act 2024 took effect, though uncertainty remains about how the legislation will work in practice.
The law makes it harder for landlords to refuse tenant requests for pets without good reason. Landlords must respond to written pet requests within 21 days, or the request may be treated as granted. They can charge a pet bond of up to two weeks’ rent in addition to the standard four-week bond.
Ray White group head of property management Zac Snelling told OneRoof the change was positive and could encourage longer tenancies. “If you have a great household – couple, family, single person, whatever – and they are allowed to paint their bedroom and have a cat and that means they are going to stay for six years, then I think everyone wins,” he said.
Uncertainty over ‘reasonable’ refusals
However, what constitutes “reasonable” grounds for refusing a pet remains unclear. The legislation limits landlords to premises-based objections, such as inadequate fencing or a home being too small for a large dog.
Joanna Pidgeon, a director at Pidgeon Judd and a member of The Law Association’s Property Law Committee, said the law took no account of landlords’ medical, religious or cultural concerns about pets. “Some landlords might be allergic to cats and they’re renting out their house only temporarily,” she said.
Ed McKnight, an economist at property investment firm Opes Partners, said the reforms made explicit that renting comes with inherent risks. “For prospective landlords there are two options: either forgo renting and accept that you’re going to have costs like rates, maintenance, insurance, and no income, or accept pets that are suitable for the premises, backed by the new protections around bonds and liability for damage,” he said.
The changes represent a significant shift for mid-tenancy requests. Tenants can now seek permission to bring in a pet after the tenancy has started, and landlords can no longer simply refuse as a matter of preference, Pidgeon said.
Harcourts Hamilton Rentals managing director Melanie Rouse said the extra $1,000 pet bond could deter some tenants during the current cost-of-living crisis. “I don’t necessarily think there’s going to be a mad rush,” she said.
Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment head of tenancy Kat Watson said the rules encouraged “common sense” conversations between landlords and tenants. She acknowledged some “edge cases” would likely end up at the Tenancy Tribunal “to give people a little bit more clarity”.
Property managers and investors expect tribunal test cases to clarify what constitutes reasonable grounds for refusing pets.
