A tenant sends you a photo of their golden retriever with a polite request to bring him along. Your first thought is probably the carpet, and your second is, “Can I actually say no?”

It’s a fair question. The pet rules for landlords in NZ changed on 1 December 2025, and almost a year on, many owners still aren’t sure where they stand. Here’s what you can do, what you can’t, and how to handle a pet request with confidence.

What changed with pet rules for rental properties in NZ?

Before December 2025, you could write “no pets” into the tenancy agreement and that was the end of it. But not any more.

Tenants now need to ask for your consent before bringing a pet home. You must reply in writing within 21 calendar days. If you decline, you need a valid reason. The law calls this “reasonable grounds”.

If you miss the 21-day deadline or say no without a good reason, you could face a penalty of up to $1,500.

Around two in three Kiwi households own a pet, and renters with pets have long struggled to find a home. The new rules aim to fix that while still protecting landlords.

What are your rights as a landlord?

You can still say no. But a simple “I’d rather not” is no longer enough.

A refusal is likely to be reasonable if:

• the property is too small, has little or no fencing, or has features that would be hard to repair
• body corporate rules, council bylaws or a cross-lease agreement don’t allow pets
• there are too many animals, or the size or breed doesn’t suit the space
• the dog is classed as dangerous or menacing
• the pet isn’t registered or microchipped as the council requires
• the tenant won’t agree to reasonable conditions, or hasn’t kept to them before.

A city apartment where the body corporate bans dogs is a clear case for saying no. A fully fenced three-bedroom home in Mt Albert, with a request for one indoor cat, is a very different story. Refusing that would be hard to justify.

What conditions can you set if you say yes?

Saying yes doesn’t mean giving up control. You can set reasonable conditions, such as:

• a pet bond of up to two weeks’ rent, on top of the standard bond
• a professional carpet clean at the end of the tenancy if the pet lives indoors
• keeping the pet restrained when you visit for inspections.

Tenants are also responsible for pet damage beyond fair wear and tear. If a puppy chews through a skirting board, they’ll need to cover the cost.

What about tenants who already have pets?

If a tenant had your approval before 1 December 2025, they don’t need to ask again. You also can’t add new conditions or charge a pet bond for that pet. The new process only applies if they want a new or extra animal.

Disability assist dogs are exempt from the pet consent rules and the pet bond.

Can a pet-friendly rental policy work in your favour?

Often, yes. Tenants with pets in Auckland know how hard it is to find a pet-friendly rental. When they find one, they tend to stay longer. That can mean fewer empty weeks and less time spent finding new tenants.

A clear rental pet policy also sets expectations from day one and helps avoid disputes later.

How should you handle your next pet request?

Read the request carefully. If you need more details, ask about the pet’s age, size, and behaviour. A reference from a previous landlord can help.

Then think it through honestly. Is there a real reason the pet won’t work, or is it just a habit? Either way, reply in writing within 21 days and keep a copy with the tenancy agreement.

Why do Auckland landlords choose Oaks Property Management?

Pet consents are just one part of a rental market where the rules keep changing. Staying on top of them while juggling work, family, or a growing portfolio isn’t easy.

Oaks Property Management is based in central Auckland and is certified to ISO 9001, the international standard for quality management, across residential, body corporate, residents’ societies and build-to-rent management.

For you, that means clear, tested processes behind every tenancy, from tenant screening to pet consents, bonds, and inspections. Your rights as a landlord are protected, and your tenants are treated fairly.

A pet request is heading your way. Say no without good reason, and it could cost you up to $1,500. Handle it well, and you could keep a great tenant for years. 

Call Oaks on 0800 888 223 or book your free rental appraisal today.