Pets could be allowed at all rental properties under new proposed laws

By SHARLOTTE THOU

Sydney renters may soon be allowed to own pets without needing approval from landlords, under new proposed laws. Currently, whether pets are allowed in rental homes is up to the homeowner or landlord’s discretion (with assistance animals being an exception to this rule).  

Proponents for the changes say that the current laws are not pet-friendly, with many renters being forced to give up their pets – often to adoption shelters – when renting homes.  

Blanket ‘not pet clauses’ cause significant issues

Speaking to City Hub, Policy and & Advocacy Manager of the Tenants Union NSW Jemima Mowbray explained that “very few” properties are advertised as being pet friendly, and that tenants with pets face discrimination and blanket “no-pet clauses”.  

She said that victims of domestic abuse “often report delaying leaving an unsafe situation because they can’t secure new housing where they can take their pets”. Additionally, there are reports of households affected by the Lismore floods who have been unsuccessful in finding pet-friendly rental properties, which has forced them to “sleep in their cars or to take up unsafe, untenable housing situations”.  

“We need more pet friendly renting laws in NSW”, she added.  

Speaking to the Sydney Morning Herald, Real Estate Institute of NSW Chief Executive Tim McKibbin said that “any proposals that remove landlords’ rights would inevitably make the rental crisis worse by drawing investors out of the market”.  

In response, Mowbray told City Hub that “in practice both [domestically] and internationally when renting laws have changed to improve renter’s rights, we haven’t seen this actually eventuate”.  

On a broader level, the change would provide renters with greater autonomy by restricting the ability of landlords to deny freedoms such as owning a pet. 

Inner West Councillor Dylan Griffiths told City Hub that the changes would provide renters with “greater autonomy and dignity”. Cr Griffiths tabled a motion in support of these proposed changes at a recent Inner West Council meeting.  

“Renters are too often denied the opportunity to make basic decisions about our homes…these rights are taken for granted by owners”, he said.  

It would also bring laws in NSW in line with laws in other states and territories such as the ACT and Queensland. For example, in the ACT “landlords are required to go to the tribunal to refuse a pet or may only be able to refuse a pet for certain reasons”.   

Submissions to City of Sydney Council encouraged

Support for the changes was echoed by comedian and former Triple J Host Gen Fricker, who encouraged her followers to write submissions to the City of Sydney in an Instagram story.  

“I’ve always wanted a pet (especially living by myself during the lockdowns) and so many of my friends have pets, and it includes the quality of life for everyone, including the many unhoused animals waiting to be adopted into loving homes right now”, she wrote.  

A poll on the City of Sydney council website reveals that out of 13,364 respondents, 89% believe that it “should be easier for renters to keep pets in their home”. 

 Public consultation will be open until 2 December 2022.