New pet laws for rentals in New Zealand: what do the new pet laws in NZ mean for tenants?

Moving your family and your much loved pet to New Zealand is a big decision. Until now, renting with animals has felt harder than it should be. Many landlords have relied on blanket no pet policies and overseas renters often tell me it feels almost impossible to know where to start.

The new pet laws for rentals in New Zealand arrive on 1 December 2025. They aim to make the whole system clearer, fairer and much easier to navigate. Below, I explain what these changes mean for tenants, especially if you are looking for a home from overseas.

Why the law is changing

Pets are part of everyday family life in New Zealand. Around 64 percent of Kiwi households have at least one. Yet renters have consistently struggled to find homes that will accept an animal, even when the pet is calm or already well trained.

The government recognised this gap and has confirmed that from 1 December 2025 tenants should have more choice and landlords should have clearer protection around potential risks. The aim is a more balanced and fair system for everyone.

What exactly is changing?

The rules start on 1st December 2025

The new legislation takes effect nationwide. You may see changes in how rentals are advertised, how landlords respond to pet requests, and what they can require from tenants.

You must have written consent for a pet

You will need your landlord’s written approval before keeping a pet. This is nothing new, but from December landlords cannot stall or ignore the request. They must reply in writing within 21 days and can only decline on reasonable grounds.

Reasonable grounds may include things like the property being unsuitable for the size or type of animal, proven behavioural issues, or body corporate rules that prohibit pets in apartments.

Pet bonds become legal

Landlords can charge a pet bond: this can be up to two weeks rent, on top of the general bond which stays capped at four weeks. The pet bond needs to be lodged with Tenancy Services, just like any other bond.

Landlords can top up the pet bond if rent increases and must refund it when the pet leaves the property. More info on the pet bond can be found here.

Tenants are responsible for pet damage

This is now spelled out clearly. If your pet causes damage that is beyond fair wear and tear, you are responsible for the cost. This clarity is one of the reasons landlords are expected to become more open to pets.

Existing tenancies

If you already have a lawful pet in your rental before 1st December, you will not need new consent or a new pet bond. The new rules do apply if you add a new pet after that date though.

Body Corporate rules

If you are looking at an apartment or townhouse that is part of a Body Corporate, those rules take priority. Some complexes do not allow pets at all. It is essential to check this early and not assume approval is guaranteed.

What is a Body Corporate?? A Body Corporate has some similarities to a Housing Association in the USA - it is a collection of all of the unit owners in a building or subdivision etc, that sets some collective rules, collects collective monies, and manages common properties between units (amongst other responsibilities). You can find out more here.

Will rentals be advertised as pet friendly?

There are no formal advertising rules yet and it's too early to know exactly how this will play out in practice, but many property managers already see pet friendly homes as a way to attract long term, stable tenants. You should increasingly see listings labelled as pets considered, pet friendly or pet bond applies.

When applying from overseas, ask the agent directly about the pet policy and confirm that it aligns with the new laws.

How this affects overseas renters

If you are planning your move from the UK, the US, Canada, South Africa or anywhere else, these changes are genuinely helpful.

• You have a clearer, fairer pathway to request a pet.

• You are less likely to face blanket refusals.

• You can prepare your Pet CV and supporting documents in advance.

• You can budget for the pet bond upfront.

• You can remove a lot of the guesswork that used to make overseas applications difficult.

If you need support with your rental search, my Rental Home Search Service can help you assess which suburbs are suited to your pet, confirm Body Corporate rules on your behalf and act as your feet on the ground while you are still overseas.

What documents you will need

A Pet CV can make a real difference. It helps landlords feel confident that your pet is well cared for and reduces uncertainty. I explain how to create one in my Pet Friendly Rentals Blog.

A strong Pet CV usually includes:

• Your pet’s name, breed, age and size;

• Vaccination and registration details;

• A short note on behaviour or temperament;

• Photos;

• A reference from a previous landlord or petsitter.

For many overseas applicants this is the step that helps you stand out and makes your application memorable.

A real life example of how these new laws might have helped:

A family I worked with recently had exactly the challenges these new laws are designed to address. They were a family of four relocating from the USA with two large, beautifully behaved dogs. Both dogs were crate trained, well referenced and had excellent histories with petsitters. On paper they were ideal tenants, but in practice they were getting nowhere.

The moment the words “two larger dogs” appeared in an enquiry, responses seemed to stop. They were trying to secure a rental from overseas and agents needed to arrange live viewings, navigate time zones and consider pets at the same time. Many simply opted not to engage. The filters on listing websites didn’t help either. A “pets ok” label might mean a cat only, or one small dog, or a pet allowed only at the landlord's discretion. There was no clarity and no easy way for them to work out which properties would genuinely consider their dogs.

They were also stuck in a catch 22. Their pet relocation company could not begin the process without a New Zealand address, and they felt that until they found a rental they couldn’t even start making arrangements for the dogs’ travel. When we first spoke, they were exhausted, stressed and unsure whether relocating with their pets would even be possible.

We stepped in to give them a clear path forward. We offered our own address temporarily so their pet relocation company could begin the process. We then screened every listing to check whether the dogs would realistically be considered. We assessed the gardens and fencing, spoke directly with agents, carried out all property viewings for them, recorded detailed videos, and even completed video drive-rounds of the local area and their likely commute. We represented them to the agents as strong candidates, helped them prepare evidence about the dogs’ training and temperament, and supported them through every stage of the application.

The outcome was worth it. They secured a beautiful modern home with a fully fenced garden that suited the whole family. They spoke directly with the landlord and agent, shared everything that demonstrated responsible pet ownership, and the landlord felt reassured that their dogs would be safe and well managed.

These new laws might have made a genuine difference to this experience. Under the new framework, landlords would have had to give a valid reason for declining, rather than relying on default no pet policies. The option of a pet bond would have reduced the landlord’s concerns about risk. In short, responsible pet owners like this family would not have suffered because of the irresponsible few.

These reforms should lead to a rental market that treats responsible pet owners more fairly and gives landlords stronger protection at the same time. It should mean more choice, more transparency and more balance for everyone.

Checklist for moving to New Zealand with a pet

1. Filter for pet friendly or pets considered rentals.

2. Always ask the listing agent about the pet policy upfront.

3. Confirm whether the property is part of a Body Corporate.

4. Prepare a Pet CV and have your documents ready.

5. Understand the possible conditions the landlord might set.

6. Budget for a pet bond of up to two weeks rent.

7. Store everything in a shared folder so it is quick to send to agents.

8. Keep clear communication with your landlord once you move in.

If you need help navigating the New Zealand rental market, or want a local expert to view homes on your behalf before you arrive (or go with you once you've arrived!), you can learn more about how I support families here:

• Rental Search Service

• Relocation Resources

• Read more blogs

Final thoughts

The new pet laws for rentals in New Zealand are a positive shift. They make renting with pets more transparent and give responsible owners a fair chance at securing a home that suits their family. Landlords gain clearer protections and tenants gain more certainty.

Whether you are already in New Zealand or planning your move from overseas, these changes should help shape a much more pet friendly rental landscape.

Disclaimer

These changes take effect from 1 December 2025 and the legislation sets out the framework. However, the rental market is still adjusting and we do not yet know exactly how these rules will play out in day-to-day practice. Different landlords, property managers and Body Corporates may interpret their obligations differently during the early months, and real-world application may evolve as Tenancy Services provides more guidance and as Tenancy Tribunal decisions begin to clarify grey areas. Renters should use this information as general guidance only and seek specific advice where needed.