Finding a rental is hard enough. Add a dog or cat to the mix and it can feel like every “no pets” listing is quietly shutting the door on your family. The good news for 2026: the rules are tilting in renters’ favour across much of Australia, and a well-prepared application can turn a hesitant landlord into a willing one. Here’s where the law stands now, what an owner can and can’t knock back, and how to put together a request that’s genuinely hard to refuse.
Pet rules are shifting in renters’ favour
Tenancy laws are set state by state, so your exact rights depend on where you live — but the direction of travel is clear. In New South Wales, changes that started on 19 May 2025 let tenants apply to keep a pet, and the landlord has 21 days to respond in writing. Miss that window and the pet is automatically approved without conditions. A landlord also can’t demand a higher bond or extra rent simply to say yes.
Victorian renters have had the right since 2 March 2020. You apply in writing using the Consumer Affairs Victoria pet request form, and your rental provider is taken to have consented unless they apply to the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT) within 14 days for an order that refusal is reasonable. In the ACT, landlords can’t unreasonably refuse a pet either. Tasmania is the latest to come on board: its Residential Tenancy Amendment (Pets) Act 2025 commenced on 20 March 2026. If you’re in another state or territory, check your local tenancy authority, because the protections aren’t identical everywhere.
What a landlord can — and can’t — knock back
These reforms don’t make a pet automatic. In NSW, for example, a landlord can still refuse on specific grounds, including:
- More than a reasonable number of animals (generally more than four)
- Fencing or open space that isn’t suitable for the animal
- A property where the pet simply can’t be kept humanely
- A real likelihood the pet will cause damage beyond what the bond could cover
- The owner living in the same home, or other laws, council rules or strata by-laws that prohibit it
What they generally can’t do — in states like NSW — is ask you to top up the bond or pay extra “pet rent” as a condition of approval. If you’re in an apartment, remember that strata or owners-corporation by-laws can still apply on top of tenancy law, so it’s worth reading the scheme rules before you apply.
Build a pet resume that gets a yes
A pet resume is the single most useful thing you can hand a landlord. It reassures them your animal is well cared for and unlikely to be a problem. Welfare groups such as the RSPCA and state tenancy services suggest including:
- Your pet’s name, breed or species, and age
- Desexing, vaccination and parasite-prevention records (worming, flea and tick treatment)
- Microchip number and council registration
- A recent, clear photo
- References from a previous landlord, property manager or neighbour
- A short note on temperament and training — house-trained, settled when alone, good with people
Set yourself up for an easy yes
A few practical moves make a real difference to how your request lands:
- Ask early and in writing, using your state’s official pet request form where one exists
- Offer to professionally clean carpets and treat for fleas at the end of the lease — and put the offer in writing
- Keep vaccinations and parasite prevention current; winter is peak season for fleas indoors once the heating goes on
- Be upfront about your animal — a pet discovered later sours the relationship far faster than one declared honestly
If you’re weighing up the wider costs of pet ownership while you settle in, our guide on whether pet insurance is worth it in Australia and our overview of cat containment laws are handy next reads.
Frequently asked questions
Can a landlord say no to pets in Australia in 2026? In several states and territories they can only refuse on specific, reasonable grounds — and in NSW they must respond within 21 days or the pet is approved automatically. Rules differ by state, so check your local tenancy authority.
Can I be charged extra bond or “pet rent”? In NSW a landlord can’t require a higher bond or extra rent as a condition of keeping a pet. Some states handle this differently, so confirm the rules where you live.
What should a pet resume include? Your pet’s name, breed and age; desexing, vaccination and parasite-prevention records; microchip and council registration; a photo; references; and a note on temperament and training.
Do these rules apply to apartments and strata? Tenancy laws apply, but strata or owners-corporation by-laws can add their own conditions. Check the scheme’s by-laws before you apply.
Key takeaways
- Pet laws vary by state, but 2025–26 reforms across NSW, VIC, the ACT and Tasmania make it easier to rent with a dog or cat
- In NSW, landlords have 21 days to respond and can’t charge extra bond or rent for a pet
- A complete pet resume — vaccinations, microchip, references, temperament — is your strongest tool
- Apply early, in writing, and check both your state tenancy authority and any strata by-laws
This article is general information, not legal advice. Tenancy laws change and differ between states and territories — check your local tenancy authority or seek advice before acting.
