Pet consent request letter for NZ tenants

When a tenant can keep a pet

From 1 December 2025, a tenant can keep a pet if the tenancy agreement allows it or the landlord gives written consent, and in line with any reasonable conditions. Keeping a pet without either is an unlawful act. Only tenants named on the tenancy agreement can make the request.

The landlord's 21 day deadline

The landlord must reply in writing within 21 days of receiving a written request. Tenancy Services counts these as calendar days, and asking for more information does not pause the clock. If you post the request, allow delivery time. The reply must say whether consent is given or refused, list any conditions, and give the grounds for any refusal. Tenancy Services says a landlord who misses the deadline could face a penalty of up to $1,500.

Reasonable grounds to refuse

The Act gives examples rather than a complete list. They include:

• the property is not suitable, for example because of its size, fencing or unique features
• a rule or bylaw bans the pet, which Tenancy Services says can include body corporate rules and cross-lease agreements
• the tenant has not met council bylaws for the pet, such as registration, microchipping, desexing or containment
• the pet is unsuitable because of numbers, size, type or breed, likely damage or disruption to neighbours, a dangerous or menacing dog classification, or a history of attacks
• the tenant will not agree to a reasonable condition, or has broken a pet condition before

Refusing without reasonable grounds is an unlawful act, and Tenancy Services says it could bring a penalty of up to $1,500. If you think a refusal or a condition is unfair, talk to the landlord first, then consider mediation or the Tenancy Tribunal.

Conditions and the pet bond

Consent can come with conditions that are reasonable for the property and the type of pet. The Act's examples are a pet bond, keeping the pet restrained while the landlord lawfully enters, and professional carpet cleaning at the end of the tenancy if the pet lives indoors.

A pet bond can be no more than 2 weeks' rent, on top of the general bond. Only one pet bond can be charged at a time, however many pets are approved, and it can only be charged where the landlord has consented to a pet. The landlord must lodge it with Tenancy Services; the official request form says within 23 working days.

Pet damage

For pet damage done on or after 1 December 2025, tenants are liable for damage beyond fair wear and tear, and the usual cap on careless damage does not apply. That includes indirect damage, such as a flea infestation. All tenants on the agreement share the liability, even if the pet belongs to one of them.

Exceptions

• Disability assist dogs are not pets under the Act. No consent or pet bond is needed. Tenancy Services notes that an emotional support animal is not a disability assist dog.
• A pet lawfully kept before 1 December 2025 does not need a new request, and the landlord cannot add a pet bond or new conditions for it.
• There is no separate exemption for caged animals, birds or fish. If you and the landlord agree the animal is a pet, the consent process applies, and the official request form asks whether the pet will live in an enclosure such as a hutch, cage or fish tank.

Rules checked 23 September 2026 against the Residential Tenancies Act 1986 (version as at 1 December 2025) and Tenancy Services guidance.