Can my landlord ban me from having pets in New South Wales?

Q: Can a landlord deduct cleaning costs from my bond in NSW?

Yes, a landlord can deduct cleaning costs from your bond in NSW, but only if the property is not reasonably clean. The law requires you to leave the premises in the same condition as when you moved in, minus fair wear and tear. They cannot charge for a professional clean automatically if it is already clean.

Q: Can my landlord show my property to potential buyers while I am still living there in NSW?

Yes, your landlord can show your property to potential buyers while you live there in New South Wales. However, they cannot simply drop in. They must give you 14 days' written notice before the property is first advertised, and 48 hours' notice before each inspection. Inspections are strictly limited to two per week.

Q: Can I make repairs myself and deduct the cost from rent in New South Wales?

No, you cannot simply make repairs yourself and deduct the cost directly from your rent in New South Wales. You are legally required to continue paying your rent in full. However, for specific urgent repairs, you can arrange the work yourself up to the value of $1,000 and claim a reimbursement from your landlord.

Robert JasonContent Researcher

Source Verified

Answer

Yes, your landlord can ban you from having pets in New South Wales. There is currently no law in NSW that gives tenants an automatic right to keep a pet. You must get written permission from your landlord before bringing an animal into your home, and they are legally allowed to refuse your request without providing a reason.

NSW Fair Trading - Pets in rented properties

Last UpdatedMay 1, 2026

Was this helpful?

How it works in practice

Renting with a pet requires careful attention to the specific terms of your lease agreement.

The Law Around Pets in NSW

In New South Wales, residential tenancy laws do not grant tenants the automatic right to keep a pet. Your landlord has the final say on whether an animal is allowed to live in the rental property.

When you sign a standard residential tenancy agreement, it typically includes a clause requiring you to obtain the landlord's express written consent before keeping any animals on the premises.

Landlord Refusals

Unlike some other Australian states, NSW landlords are not legally required to provide a reason if they decide to reject your request for a pet. They can simply say no, and you must abide by that decision or risk breaching your lease agreement.

If a landlord does approve your pet request, they are allowed to add reasonable conditions to your lease. For example, they might stipulate that the pet must stay outside or require you to professionally clean the carpets at the end of your tenancy.

Strata Properties

If you live in an apartment or a townhouse, you must also consider strata by-laws. Even if your landlord agrees to a pet, the owners corporation might have its own rules. However, strata schemes in NSW cannot unreasonably ban pets, meaning you generally have stronger rights against the building management than against your own landlord.

Important exceptions

The major exception to this rule applies to legally recognized assistance animals, such as trained guide dogs, hearing dogs, or psychiatric service animals.

Under both state and federal anti-discrimination laws, a landlord cannot legally refuse your tenancy or ban you from keeping a certified assistance animal in your rental property.

Additionally, landlords are strictly prohibited from charging a specific "pet bond" or requiring you to pay extra upfront money to keep an animal. The maximum bond allowed in New South Wales is strictly four weeks' rent, regardless of any pets.

What you should do now

Review your current tenancy agreement to see what the specific clauses say about keeping pets in your rental property.
Put your formal request to have a pet in writing and send it directly to your landlord or property agent.
Provide a "pet resume" detailing your pet's age, breed, temperament, training history, and references from previous landlords.
Offer to include a special clause in your lease agreeing to professional carpet cleaning and pest control upon moving out.
Check your building's specific strata by-laws to ensure pets are permitted by the owners corporation if you live in an apartment.

Expert Notes

No expert notes have been added to this question yet.