Our sustained advocacy work has helped shape the latest iteration of the Residential Tenancies Amendment Bill, which now includes a new provision making it unlawful for tenants to keep pets without landlord consent. This recommended change by the Select Committee is in line with our vision for a fairer and more accountable rental sector. But the work is not nearly done. There’s more to do if we truly want to see pet ownership flourish in the sector through mutual trust and respect.
“Making unauthorised pet ownership unlawful would build crucial accountability into the rental system,” says APIA General Manager Sarina Gibbon. “New pet rules should complement, not compromise, fundamental property rights. This isn’t about preventing pets in rentals – it’s about ensuring tenants respect property owners’ decisions about their own properties.”
A Sector Ready for Pet-Friendly Rentals
Our recent survey of more than 3,200 landlords shows the sector is already embracing change, with 64.8% of respondents allowing pets in some or all of their properties. This demonstrates that when proper frameworks exist, landlords are willing to welcome pet ownership.
The Next Step: Building Better Compliance
While the proposed unlawful act provision is a good start, we need stronger measures to ensure the system works as intended. APIA is advocating for making it an unlawful act when tenants breach reasonable pet conditions. This isn’t about being punitive – it’s about creating a framework where both parties can trust each other.
For example, if a landlord consents to a tenant keeping a cat with reasonable conditions like regular flea treatment, there should be consequences if these conditions are breached. The current recommendations don’t include specific penalty provisions for such breaches, which could render the setting of reasonable conditions entirely meaningless.
Making the System Work
The Select Committee has recommended setting the maximum penalty for keeping pets without landlord consent at $750. We believe this should go further, with:
- A maximum penalty of $1,500 for breaching reasonable pet conditions, aligning with other pet-related unlawful acts
- Clear frameworks for what constitutes reasonable conditions
- Consistent penalties so everyone understands their obligations
Why This Matters
When both parties understand their rights and responsibilities, it creates an environment of trust. This trust is crucial for expanding pet-friendly rental options. Our survey found that 99% of landlords agree that consent should be required for pets, showing strong support for a clear, rule-based approach.
Clear rules and consequences don’t restrict pet ownership – they enable it by giving landlords confidence to say “yes” to pets. When landlords know they have recourse if things go wrong, they’re more likely to give pet ownership a chance.
A successful pet-friendly rental market requires cooperation between landlords and tenants. By building accountability into the system, we create the foundations for this cooperation. The goal isn’t to make pet ownership harder, but to make it work better for everyone through clear expectations and mutual respect.
Stay tuned for our upcoming plain English video explaining all the changes proposed in the Amendment Bill.
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