Pets in Rental Properties
The Residential Tenancy Act 1997 has been amended to regulate consent for the keeping of pets in rental properties. The amendments will commence on Friday, 20 March 2026.
The Act provides a mechanism for the giving and refusing of consent. It also provides that a tenant may keep certain exempt animals without the need to obtain the landlord’s consent.
What is a pet?
The Act defines a pet as “a domesticated animal, or an animal that is dependent on a person for the provision of food or shelter, if that animal is not an exempt animal or an ineligible animal”.
Landlord consent is not required for exempt animals:
- guide dogs and hearing dogs, including trainees
- assistance animals within the meaning of the Commonwealth Disability Discrimination Act 1992.
To be eligible for the consent provisions in the Act:
- dogs over 6 months old must be registered
- cats over 6 months old must be microchipped
How is consent obtained?
A tenant must request consent for each pet using an approved form.
Can a landlord refuse consent to keep a pet or impose conditions?
A landlord must not unreasonably refuse consent to keep a pet.
It may be reasonable for a landlord to refuse consent in certain circumstances, including where the pet may cause a nuisance or pose an unacceptable risk to the safety or people or other animals kept on the premises.
A landlord may consent to some pets and refuse others.
If a landlord refuses consent, the landlord must refer the matter to TASCAT.
A landlord can impose reasonable conditions on a consent but must have the consent of the tenant to the conditions, and the conditions cannot include an increase in the rent or bond.
Consent to keeping a pet may be withdrawn in certain circumstances.
What if the landlord ignores a request to keep a pet?
A landlord must either give or refuse consent in writing within 14 days.
After 14 days the landlord is deemed to have given consent to keep the pet.
Council by-laws may restrict the right to keep pets
Council’s by-laws may restrict or prevent the keeping of pets.
Strata title by-laws may restrict the right to keep pets
The by-laws of strata title units may also restrict the keeping of pets.
The role of the Tribunal
TASCAT will hear and determine disputes in respect to:
- whether a refusal of consent or withdrawal of consent is reasonable
- whether an animal may be kept where there has been no request of consent
- whether an animal is a pet, exempt animal or ineligible animal
More information
This news item provides a brief summary of the new provisions. It should not be taken as definitive and does not take the place of considering the Act, which can be found at View - Tasmanian Legislation Online.
The TASCAT Registry can provide information in respect to procedure but cannot provide legal advice. Check the Tribunal’s information sheet for information on procedure or contact the Registry on 1800 657 500 (Option 3) or ccs@tascat.tas.gov.au.