A tenant/resident must seek written approval from their property manager/owner to keep a pet at their rental property. It is a significant breach if an animal, other than a working dog, is kept at the property without the property manager/owner’s approval.
Any nuisance or damage caused by an approved pet is the responsibility of the tenant/resident. Pet damage is not considered fair wear and tear at the end of the tenancy.
In addition to the property manager/owner’s approval, keeping a pet in a rental property may be limited by body corporate by-laws, house rules, park rules or other applicable laws.
The property manager/owner’s approval to keep a pet continues for the life of the approved pet, even if the tenancy agreement is renewed or extended, or if the property manager/owner changes.
Asking to keep a pet at the start of a tenancy
If you have a pet when you apply for a rental property, you should tell the property manager/owner in your rental application and ensure the pet is included in the tenancy agreement.
Some property managers/owners outline their approval for pets in the proposed agreement. You can negotiate with the property manager/owner to keep a pet during the rental application process.
The tenancy agreement should include:
- that the tenant/resident is allowed to keep a pet
- the number and types of animals allowed
- any specific agreements or special terms about the pets, e.g.
- whether the pets can be kept inside or outside
- if pest control or carpet cleaning will be required at the end of the tenancy.
The pet application process outlined in the Residential Tenancies and Rooming Accommodation Act 2008 is only used during a tenancy. It is not used when applying for a rental property.
Asking to keep a pet during a tenancy
If you want to keep a pet at the property during your tenancy, you must seek written approval by submitting a completed Request for approval to keep a pet in a rental property (Form 21) to the property manager/owner.
If your rental property is part of a body corporate you may also need body corporate approval to keep a pet (see below for details).
The property manager/owner must respond in writing within 14 days of receiving the request and state :
- whether the request is approved or refused
- any conditions of approval, or their reason for refusing the request.
If the property manager/owner does not respond within 14 days, or the response does not satisfy these requirements, the pet request will be automatically approved.
The Pet request response for lessors template can help property managers/owners respond to a pet request.
Renting with a pet in a body corporate
Rental properties in body corporates (e.g. units, townhouses) may be subject to by-laws about keeping pets.
You may need approval from the body corporate committee in addition to the property manager/owner’s approval. You should check the body corporate by-laws before asking to keep a pet. You should have received a copy of the by-laws with your tenancy agreement.
Body corporate approval may take longer than the 14-day approval period. The property manager/owner can refuse a pet request if their 14-day approval period is ending and the body corporate has not responded to the request. If the body corporate later approves the request, you can re-apply to the property manager/owner with evidence of the body corporate’s approval.
You can dispute a body corporate committee decision through the Office of the Commission for Body Corporate and Community Management (BCCM).
House rules and park rules
Residents who live in rooming accommodation may be subject to house rules. Residents should check the house rules to see if pets are allowed and talk with the property manager/provider.
Tenants who live in a caravan park may be subject to park rules. Tenants should check the park rules to see if pets are allowed and talk with the property manager/owner.
Renting with livestock
If you want to keep a livestock animal, you need written permission from the property manager/owner. You must also ensure the animal is registered with Biosecurity Queensland.
Examples of livestock may include animals like cattle, sheep, goats, pigs, camels, alpacas, horses, ponies or beehives.
For more information, visit the BioSecurity entity registration website.