What Pet Parents Need to Know About NSW’s Changing Rental Laws

In what’s being called a “huge win for renters,” the New South Wales (NSW) Government is busy passing new laws to make renting fairer and more secure for tenants. You may be wondering if they’ll be helpful to you as a pet parent, too. Happily, NSW pet rental laws should make finding accommodation less restricted and fair.

​Below, we look at what the changes are and how they’ll affect you.

Why is NSW changing their rental laws?

During the elections, the NSW Government included changing rental laws as part of their promises. These new laws, which are being called historic are part of their bid to “ensure housing security” for millions of residents.

“Renters have been the forgotten people in NSW for too long, and that ends now,” said Premier Chris Minns in October 2024. “We’ve delivered major changes that make it fairer for the millions of renters across our state.”

NSW Fair Trading is stepping up to enforce these changes. They’ve set up a new Rental Taskforce with dedicated inspectors and compliance officers. Their job is to keep an eye on things, make sure landlords and agents follow the rules, and step in if any rental laws are broken.

What are the changes, including to NSW pet rental laws?

So what exactly are these laws and when will they come into play?

The below two laws are already in action, having been implemented in October 2024:

Limiting rent increases

From now on, rent can only go up once a year, no matter what kind of lease you’re on. This change means no more surprise rent hikes, giving tenants a chance to plan their finances without constant worry.

No extra fees for background checks or rent payments

Landlords and agents can no longer charge you for background checks when you’re applying for a place. Plus, they must offer fee-free options for paying rent, like bank transfers or Centrepay, so you’re not hit with unnecessary costs.

Other changes, including to NSW pet rental laws​, will be happening in the first quarter of 2025 and include:

Ending ‘no grounds’ evictions

Landlords will need a valid reason to end a lease, like selling the property, needing it for personal use, or planning major renovations. This makes renting more stable and gives tenants greater security.

Making it easier to keep pets (the law you’re here to read about!)

If you’re a tenant and want a pet, you’ll need to apply using a specific form. Landlords have 21 days to respond. If they don’t reply within that time, it’s considered approved by default. Here are the other sections of the law:

Grounds for refusal

Landlords can only refuse pets for specific reasons. For example, if having a pet would overcrowd the property, if the pet is unsuitable for the space, or if there are legal restrictions like strata by-laws. They can also say no if the tenant refuses reasonable conditions, like agreeing to clean up after the pet or repair any damage caused.

NSW pet rental laws for reasonable conditions

Landlords can set reasonable rules, like asking tenants to clean the carpets or fumigate after moving out, especially if it’s relevant to the type of pet. However, they can’t ask for extra rent or a bigger bond just because you have a pet.

Dispute resolution

If you think a landlord’s refusal or conditions are unfair, you can take the issue to the NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal (NCAT) to get it resolved.

How will NSW pet rental laws help you?

Basically, these laws are a win for pet parents – making it easier to rent with pets while balancing landlords’ rights. Previously, tenants often faced blanket bans on pets or long, uncertain waits for approval, making it difficult to find stable housing. Now, landlords must respond to pet requests within 3 weeks, and if they don’t, approval is automatic. This gives you more clarity and less unnecessary stress.

Because landlords have to provide a valid reason for eviction, it protects families with pets from sudden disruptions. And by encouraging landlords to be more reasonable, the laws mean fewer restrictions and better quality of life for pet owners. These changes may very well mean fewer people will face the heartbreaking choice of giving up their pets just to secure housing.

Pet insurance … wherever you live in Aus

NSW pet rental laws are great news for pet parents. Another great idea is insuring your pet against the unforeseen.

 A cat insurance or dog insurance plan with PD Insurance gives you the peace of mind knowing that their vet bills will be covered in case of an accident or emergency. And if you sign up today you’ll get one month of pet insurance FREE.

Click below to get a quote.