Is my emotional support fish a pet? This was the question the Tenancy Tribunal had to consider after an Auckland-based landlord discovered more than ten aquariums on their premises. The tenant had not obtained pet consent from the landlord because she believed her fish were mental and emotional support animals rather than pets. The tenant provided a medical certificate in support of this view; however, the landlord’s argument was the one that swam. The Tribunal found that fish were, in fact, pets for the purposes of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986.
For years, landlords in New Zealand have faced the consequences of allowing pets into their premises. Horror stories in New Zealand include sheep urinating in townhouses, dogs eating stairwells, and cats causing floods. Stories like these have created a rental market saturated with pet bans. In recent years, tenants have been forced to cast their nets wider to find pet-friendly rental properties.
In December 2025, the Government updated pet ownership rules under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986 to address concerns raised by tenants and landlords. The aim was to increase pet owners’ access to rentals while protecting landlords from the risks of allowing pets on their premises.
Key changes you should be aware of include:
- Landlords can only prohibit pets on their premises if they have reasonable grounds for refusal;
- Landlords can now require payment of a “pet bond” of up to two weeks’ rent if the tenant intends to keep a pet on the premises;
- Landlords must now respond to written requests for consent within 21 days of receipt.
Tenants and landlords who made pet arrangements before 1 December 2025 remain largely unaffected. Tenants must continue to meet pet conditions, and landlords cannot impose new conditions, such as a pet bond.
Navigating pet ownership for both tenants and landlords is challenging. Have questions about pets and tenancy agreements? Get in touch with our Property Team today; we’re here to help make pet-friendly tenancies work for everyone.
[1] Sunrise Property Management and Services Limited as agent for Chan & Li v [The respondent/s] [2026] NZTT 5361641.