New Pet Rules for Dunedin and New Zealand Rentals

Thinking about letting furry friends into your rental? New pet laws are on the way, and they’re set to make life a little clearer for both landlords and tenants. Here’s the low-down so you’re ready when the changes kick in later this year.

The new consent and pet bond rules will only apply once the law officially takes effect. The start date isn’t locked in yet, but it’s likely before the end of the year. If a pet was already living in your property with your approval, or your tenancy agreement doesn’t ban pets, nothing needs to change.

Pet Consent Rules

Once the law begins:

🌸 Tenants will need written consent from their landlord unless the agreement already allows pets.

🌸 Landlords must say yes unless there’s a solid reason to decline, like the property not being suitable or a local bylaw getting in the way.

🌸 You’ll have 21 days to reply.

🌸 You can set fair conditions when you give consent, such as asking for a pet bond or carpet cleaning at the end of the tenancy.

🌸 Saying no without a good reason or missing the 21-day deadline could mean a fine of up to $1,500.

🌸 Tenants who keep a pet without consent can face a fine of up to $750.

🌸 Reasonable grounds to say no might include: 

🌸 Upstairs apartments where noise can easily disturb neighbours. 

🌸 Shared townhouses or boarding homes where other residents have allergies or health concerns. 

🌸 Body corporate or apartment complexes with existing no-pet rules. 

🌸 Homes with very limited outdoor space that can’t safely accommodate a larger animal.

Pet Bond Details

🌸 If you give the go-ahead for a pet, you can ask for a pet bond of up to two weeks’ rent.🌸 This is separate from the standard bond and will be lodged with Tenancy Services just like the usual bond money.

Tenant Responsibilities

🌸 Tenants are responsible for any pet-related damage beyond normal wear and tear.

🌸 That’s true even if the pet belongs to someone else in the household, and all tenants can be held responsible.

Stay in the Know

Rules like these can shift quickly. Keep up with the latest Dunedin tenancy updates by following Click Property Management on Facebook. If you’d like tailored advice or a free rental appraisal, our local team is just a call or email away.

Friendly tip: Sorting out your pet policy now makes life easier later—for you, your tenants, and their four-legged companions.