From 1 December 2025, new rules under the Residential Tenancies Amendment Act 2024 will apply to rental properties in New Zealand, introducing clearer pet clauses in tenancy agreements along with updated requirements around pets, bonds, and landlord–tenant responsibilities.
What the New Rules Cover
- Tenant Requests & Landlord Consent
Under the new provisions, tenants can keep a pet in a rental property if they have written consent from the landlord or if the tenancy agreement already allows pets. Landlords may withhold consent only on reasonable grounds — for example, the type or size of the pet is unsuitable for the property, body corporate rules prohibit pets, or previous damage from pets exists. - Pet Bond
From the commencement date, landlords will be permitted to charge an extra bond — a pet bond — of up to two weeks’ rent, in addition to the general tenancy bond. This pet bond will be managed via the official bond system.
Only one pet bond may be held at a time for a tenancy. - Reasonable Conditions
Landlords may attach reasonable conditions when granting pet in rental property consent — for example professional carpet cleaning at tenancy end, limit on type of animal, or requiring fencing. These conditions must be justified and reasonable relative to the property and pet. - Liability for Damage
Under the updated law, tenants are fully liable for any pet‑related damage that goes beyond fair wear and tear. This explicitly clarifies the difference between ordinary wear and tear and damage caused by a pet. - Existing Pets & Transitional Arrangements
A key transitional point: if a tenant already has a pet lawfully at the property prior to the commencement date (1 December 2025) — for example, the tenancy agreement allowed pets or the landlord previously consented — the new consent and pet bond rules do not apply to that existing pet.
That is, landlords cannot charge a pet bond for that existing pet nor require new conditions for that pet under the new regime. The rules apply for new pets introduced after the commencement date.
What the New Rules Cover
Why These Changes Matter
- These reforms aim to strike a balance between making rentals more accessible to tenants with pets and providing landlords with clearer protections against damage and risk.
- For landlords, this means pets will increasingly be part of the rental market calculation: both in terms of tenant demand and in terms of property risk management.
- The clarification of damage liability and the formalisation of a pet bond give landlords a more robust legal foundation to manage pet‑related risks.
What Landlords Need to Know: Key Points
- From 1 December 2025, charging a pet bond becomes lawful (up to two weeks’ rent) in the approved system. Before then, landlords cannot lawfully charge a pet bond.
- When a tenant requests to keep a pet, the landlord must evaluate the request and may only refuse on reasonable grounds. Blanket bans without rationale may no longer be fully effective under the new rules.
- The pet bond is separate from the standard general bond and must be lodged via the recognised online bond system. The system will allow lodgement, top‑ups (if rent increases), refunds (if pet leaves), and addition of a pet bond when a new pet is introduced.
- Landlord’s rights and tenant’s responsibilities around pet damage are more clearly defined: there is statutory recognition that tenants are fully responsible for damage beyond fair wear and tear in relation to the pet.
- Existing lawful pets prior to the commencement date are unaffected by the new bond/consent rules for that pet — so landlords must be aware of which pets are “existing” vs “new” under the law.
Practical Implications for Landlords
- The new rules may mean that more tenants are able to bring pets into rentals — which may increase demand for “pet‑friendly” properties. That could be an opportunity for landlords to distinguish their properties.
- Landlords must assess each pet request on its merits. Reasonable grounds for refusal must be documented. For example: lack of fencing, small unit, building restrictions, previous damage history.
- The introduction of pet bonds allows landlords a clearer financial buffer for pet‑related damage; this may change how landlords view risk of pets in rental properties.
- Landlords should evaluate whether properties are appropriate for pets — e.g., outdoor space, garden, fencing, flooring, neighbours. Some properties may still be unsuitable for certain pets, which may justify refusing consent.
- The transition provision means that some existing tenancies will remain under the “old rules” (where pet bonds and consent requirements were less formal). Landlords must maintain records of which pets were lawfully in place before the commencement date.
- The deposit of pet bonds via the official system means landlords (and property managers) will need to use the online bond lodging platform that supports pet bonds, top‑ups, refunds.
Summary & Looking Ahead
As December 2025 approaches, it’s essential for landlords to prepare for these pet-related tenancy changes. Clearer consent rules, the introduction of pet bonds, and defined liability for pet damage mark a shift toward greater balance between landlords and tenants.
By understanding the new landlord pet policy framework, landlords can adapt their processes, protect their investments, and stay compliant when the new rules take effect.
At Sole Agents, we stay ahead of regulatory changes so our landlords don’t have to. If you’d like help reviewing your tenancy agreements or understanding how the new pet rules may affect your properties, get in touch — we’re here to make property management simpler and more secure.
