NZ Pet Bond Implementation FAQ (1 December 2025)

From 1 December 2025, New Zealand’s Residential Tenancies Act 1986 includes a structured pet regime. The Residential Tenancies Amendment Act 2024 inserted four new provisions — ss.49AA, 49AB, 49AC, and 49AD — that define when a tenant must seek consent to keep a pet, when a landlord may require a pet bond, and the limits on landlord conditions. This FAQ answers the most common questions.

What is the pet bond?

A pet bond is an additional bond, separate from the standard 4-week bond under RTA 1986 s.18, that a landlord may require where a tenant keeps a pet on the premises. Under RTA 1986 s.49AB:

• Maximum: 2 weeks’ rent
• Held by: Tenancy Services (lodged within 23 working days, same as standard bond — RTA 1986 s.19)
• Refunded: at end of tenancy along with standard bond, subject to deductions for pet damage

The pet bond exists in addition to the 4-week standard bond. Maximum total bond at start of tenancy where pets are permitted: 6 weeks’ rent.

Tenancy Services pet guidance: https://www.tenancy.govt.nz/healthy-homes/

When did the pet bond rules take effect?

The pet provisions in the Residential Tenancies Amendment Act 2024 came into force on 1 December 2025. They apply to:

• All new tenancy agreements signed on or after 1 December 2025
• Existing tenancies where a new pet request is made on or after 1 December 2025

For existing tenancies where the tenant already had pets before 1 December 2025, the pre-amendment contractual position continues — the new statutory regime applies prospectively to new pet decisions.

Does a tenant have to ask before getting a pet?

Yes. Under RTA 1986 s.49AA, a tenant must obtain the landlord’s written consent before keeping a pet on the premises. This applies to any new pet acquired during the tenancy, even where the tenancy agreement is silent on pets.

The request should be in writing (email is acceptable) and identify the pet (species, breed, age) and any care arrangements proposed.

How quickly must the landlord respond?

Under RTA 1986 s.49AC, the landlord must respond within 21 days of a written pet request. The response must:

• Be in writing
• State approval or refusal
• If refusal, state reasonable grounds

If the landlord does not respond within 21 days, the consent is deemed granted under s.49AC(3). The tenant may proceed to keep the pet.

What is “reasonable grounds” for refusal?

The Act does not define “reasonable” exhaustively. The Tribunal considers, on a case-by-case basis, factors such as:

• Property suitability (e.g. small unit unsuitable for large dog)
• Body corporate or council restrictions
• Risk of damage based on pet type
• Number of existing pets
• Allergies of nearby tenants in shared buildings
• Healthy Homes / property condition factors

Not reasonable grounds:

• Blanket “no pets” position without considering the specific request
• Generic concerns without applying them to this pet
• Discriminatory grounds

Where a tenant disputes a refusal, the Tribunal can review the decision under s.49AC(2).

What conditions can the landlord attach?

Under RTA 1986 s.49AD, the landlord may attach reasonable conditions to consent, including:

• Carpet cleaning at the end of the tenancy (typically professional)
• Restrictions on the type or number of pets
• Exterior-only pet arrangements (e.g. dog kept outside)
• Tenant’s liability for pet damage above fair wear and tear
• Notification if the pet causes damage or disturbance
• Pet bond payment under s.49AB

Conditions must be reasonable and proportionate. Excessive or punitive conditions can be challenged at the Tribunal.

How is the pet bond lodged?

Like the standard bond, the pet bond is lodged with Tenancy Services. Under RTA 1986 s.19:

1. The landlord receives the pet bond from the tenant.
2. Within 23 working days, the landlord lodges the bond using the digital lodgement form on the Tenancy Services portal.
3. Tenancy Services holds the bond as stakeholder until end of tenancy.

The pet bond can be lodged separately or together with the standard bond on the same form. Failure to lodge within 23 working days is an unlawful act with exemplary damages up to NZ$1,000 (Schedule 1A).

Tenancy Services bond lodgement: https://www.tenancy.govt.nz/rent-bond-and-bills/bond/lodging-a-bond/

What pets count under the regime?

The Act does not define “pet” specifically. Common interpretation includes:

• Covered: dogs, cats, rabbits, birds, reptiles, fish (where fish tank presents potential damage), small mammals
• Borderline: insects, very small reptiles, occasional pets — landlord judgement
• Excluded: assistance dogs and other guide animals — separate consideration under disability law (Human Rights Act 1993, Protection of Personal and Property Rights Act 1988)

The Human Rights Act 1993 prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability. A landlord generally cannot refuse permission for an assistance animal, regardless of a pet bond request.

Can the landlord increase the pet bond mid-tenancy?

The Act does not provide for mid-tenancy pet bond changes. If the tenant acquires an additional pet after the initial consent, the landlord may require an additional pet bond — but the maximum total pet bond is 2 weeks’ rent across all pets.

In practice, where the landlord and tenant agree to additional pets, both parties should document the new arrangement in writing, and any new pet bond contribution is lodged with Tenancy Services.

What about pet damage at end of tenancy?

At end of tenancy, the pet bond is treated like the standard bond — a stakeholder fund that may be applied to legitimate damage claims:

• Fair wear and tear is not deductible
• Pet damage beyond fair wear and tear can be deducted

Common pet-damage claims:

• Carpet replacement (where animal urine has soaked through)
• Door / wall scratches
• Garden / lawn damage
• Smell remediation (where reasonable and documented)

If the pet damage exceeds the pet bond, the landlord can claim the excess from the tenant directly. If the tenant disputes, the Tenancy Tribunal decides.

Is a pet bond required for every pet?

No. A pet bond is optional for the landlord. Landlords may consent to a pet without requiring a bond at all. The 2-week limit is a maximum, not a default.

In practice, many landlords charge a pet bond as a baseline protection. Tenants should expect to provide one for most pets, particularly larger animals.

What if the tenancy agreement says “no pets”?

A pre-existing “no pets” clause in a tenancy agreement does not automatically defeat the new regime. From 1 December 2025, the s.49AC framework applies regardless. The tenant can request consent; the landlord must respond within 21 days with reasonable grounds for refusal. A blanket “no pets” clause is not automatically a reasonable ground.

Existing agreements signed before 1 December 2025 carry the same statutory framework — the landlord cannot rely on an old contractual blanket prohibition to override the new statutory consent process.

Do letting agents have the pet bond authority?

Yes. The landlord’s letting agent (e.g. property manager) typically administers pet requests, consent, conditions, and pet bond on behalf of the landlord. The tenant deals with the agent in the usual way.

The agent must:

• Respond to pet requests within 21 days (s.49AC)
• Apply reasonable grounds for any refusal
• Lodge any pet bond with Tenancy Services within 23 working days

How does this compare to other countries?

Australia: Pet rules vary by state. NSW, Victoria, and Queensland have moved to “reasonable grounds” refusal frameworks. Pet bonds are not generally permitted as separate bonds (the maximum bond cap absorbs any pet contribution).

United Kingdom: Renters’ Rights Act 2025 gives tenants a stronger right to keep pets, with landlords required to consider requests reasonably. Pet bonds are not part of the UK reforms.

United States: Pet deposits and pet rent are common in most states, often unregulated.

The NZ approach — capped pet bond, structured consent — sits between the UK’s pro-tenant stance and the US’s deregulated approach.

Compliance Checklist for Landlords

1. Update tenancy agreement template — include pet consent clause and pet bond clause
2. Diary 21-day pet response deadline for any pet request
3. Document reasonable grounds for any refusal
4. Apply consistent process to avoid discrimination claims
5. Lodge pet bond within 23 working days of receipt
6. Educate property managers on the new regime
7. Consider pet types in advance — establish a policy for common requests

Compliance Checklist for Tenants

1. Always request in writing before getting a pet
2. Provide clear information about the pet (species, breed, age, care)
3. Be prepared for a pet bond — up to 2 weeks’ rent
4. Note the 21-day response window — silence equals consent
5. Comply with reasonable conditions to maintain consent
6. Take care of the property — pet damage beyond fair wear and tear is deductible

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Disclaimer

Legal information, not legal advice. MmowW Scrib🐮 is operated by a licensed Gyoseishoshi (行政書士) office in Japan. We are not New Zealand lawyers or licensed immigration advisers.

Sources

• Tenancy Services hub: https://www.tenancy.govt.nz/
• Tenancy Services law changes: https://www.tenancy.govt.nz/law-changes/
• Residential Tenancies Act 1986: https://www.legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1986/0120/latest/DLM94278.html
• MBIE: https://www.mbie.govt.nz/