Pet Bonds and Pets in Rental Properties in New Zealand

Since 1 December 2025, a landlord in New Zealand can charge a pet bond of up to 2 weeks' rent, on top of the usual bond, and a tenant generally needs the landlord's written consent to keep a pet.

This page is general information about New Zealand law, not legal advice. For your own situation, consult a lawyer or your local Community Law centre.

The 1 December 2025 change

New rules under the Residential Tenancies Act took effect on 1 December 2025, giving tenants with pets a clearer, more consistent process across the rental market. Before that date, whether a tenant could keep a pet, and on what terms, was left largely to what each tenancy agreement said. From 1 December 2025, there is a defined consent process, a capped pet bond, and clearer rules about who is liable for pet damage.

Tenants are now liable for pet damage to the property beyond fair wear and tear. In exchange for that added responsibility, the rules also make it clearer what a landlord can and cannot require before agreeing to a pet.

The pet bond: how much, and how it stacks with the general bond

A landlord who agrees to a pet can charge a pet bond of up to 2 weeks' rent. This is separate from, and additional to, the ordinary general bond a landlord can already charge, which is capped at up to 4 weeks' rent. Charged together, that means a tenant with an approved pet can be asked for up to 6 weeks' rent in bond overall, most of it refundable at the end of the tenancy subject to any damage.

Only one pet bond applies per tenancy, regardless of how many pets the tenant keeps. The pet bond must be clearly identified as such in the paperwork and the receipt, and the landlord lodges it with Tenancy Services, through the Bond Hub online system or their property management software, in the same way as the general bond. A landlord who charges more than 2 weeks' rent for a pet bond risks a penalty of up to $3,000.

Requesting consent to keep a pet

A tenant who wants to keep a new pet on or after 1 December 2025 must ask the landlord in writing, using the official request form. The request should cover the type and number of pets, whether the property is suitable for that animal, and whether any local council permission, such as a dog registration, is already in place.

The landlord must make a decision and respond in writing within 21 calendar days, even if they first ask the tenant for more information. A landlord who misses that deadline, or who declines without a valid reason, risks a penalty of up to $1,500.

When a landlord can decline, and what conditions they can attach

The Residential Tenancies Act does not spell out exactly what counts as a reasonable ground to decline a pet, so a landlord has to apply logic and fairness to the specific property and pet. Grounds that are generally accepted as reasonable include:

• The property is too small, lacks adequate fencing, or has features that would be difficult or costly to repair if damaged.
• A body corporate rule or cross-lease agreement prohibits the pet.
• The tenant has not met a local council bylaw requirement, such as registration, microchipping, desexing, or containment rules.
• The number, size, type, or breed of the pet is not suited to the property, or the pet is classified as dangerous or menacing under the Dog Control Act 1996.
• The tenant has previously broken reasonable pet conditions, or will not agree to new ones.

If the landlord approves the request, they can attach fair conditions, such as requiring a pet bond or professional carpet cleaning at the end of the tenancy if the pet lives indoors. A landlord can also grant ongoing consent for a specific type and number of pets, meaning the tenant will not need to ask again if that pet is later replaced with an equivalent one.

Existing pets before 1 December 2025

A tenant who was already lawfully keeping a pet with the landlord's approval before 1 December 2025 does not need to make a fresh request under the new rules. The landlord cannot retroactively charge a pet bond, or impose new conditions, for a pet that was already approved.

Disability assist dogs

Disability assist dogs sit outside this entire framework. A tenant does not need the landlord's consent to keep one, and a landlord cannot charge a pet bond or attach conditions for one.

Related tenancy topics

For the wider picture on renting in New Zealand, see the tenancy and renting hub. If you are working out notice periods for ending a tenancy, read ending a tenancy: notice periods. For how often rent can rise and what notice applies, see rent increases in New Zealand.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much can a landlord charge for a pet bond in New Zealand?

Up to 2 weeks' rent, in addition to the ordinary general bond of up to 4 weeks' rent. Only one pet bond applies per tenancy no matter how many pets the tenant keeps, and a landlord who charges more than 2 weeks' rent risks a penalty of up to $3,000.

Does a tenant need permission to get a pet in a New Zealand rental?

Generally yes, from 1 December 2025. A tenant must ask the landlord in writing for consent to keep a new pet, and the landlord must respond within 21 calendar days. A landlord can only decline on reasonable grounds, and disability assist dogs are excluded from this requirement entirely.

On what grounds can a landlord refuse a pet?

Grounds generally treated as reasonable include the property being unsuitable in size or fencing, a body corporate or cross-lease restriction, an unmet council bylaw requirement such as registration or desexing, or the pet being classified as dangerous or menacing under the Dog Control Act 1996. The Act does not list every possible ground, so a landlord has to apply logic and fairness to the specific situation.

What happens to pets a tenant already had before 1 December 2025?

A pet already lawfully kept with the landlord's consent before that date is not affected. The tenant does not need to make a new request, and the landlord cannot retroactively charge a pet bond or add new conditions for that pet.

Are all animals covered by the new pet consent and pet bond rules?

No. Disability assist dogs are excluded entirely. A tenant does not need consent to keep one, and no pet bond or condition can be attached to one.