Keeping companion animals in residential tenancies

Tenants in NSW have rights. There is no term in the Act that prohibits tenants from keeping a companion animal or that requires tenants to seek the landlord’s consent. Yet, many landlords include a clause that restricts companion animals in their tenancy agreement - and there is currently nothing stopping them from doing so. But now is our chance to change this.

Housing issues are one reason people surrender or abandon companion animals in their care. Many thousands of companion animals are surrendered in Australia each year. Reports suggest that one-fifth of all animal surrenders in NSW are due to changed living circumstances, particularly because their families were unable to find a place where they were permitted to keep them. This complicates overcapacity issues at shelters and can mean that surrendered animals may be euthanased.

The Tenants’ Union of New South Wales says that “such a restriction is a breach of your reasonable peace, comfort and privacy”. It is also a critical animal welfare issue. It’s time for NSW to catch up with other states who have removed obstacles to tenants keeping companion animals.

This email template is intended as a general guide only.

We highly recommend you use this to inform your own individual submission, drawing on any experiences or insights you might have, to provide a response written in your own words.

You can reach out and email us if you have any questions or need further assistance in sending your submission.