Pet bonds to be introduced

Monday, 15 April 2024

The Government is introducing a pet bond under the Residential Tenancies Act, but not all landlords will allow pets as a result.

The bond would allow landlords to ask for a maximum of two weeks’ rent, in addition to any existing bond, on a tenancy.

Tenants would be liable for all pet damage beyond wear and tear, including accidental or careless damage, as well as intentional damage.

Property Investors Federation President Sue Harrison welcomed the initiative but said it was still dependent on individual circumstances – whether the tenants were suitable or the house was suitable for pets.

“It will help them consider it, it does give some extra scope and maybe it will get more people with pets into homes.”

The changes were announced by Regulation Minister David Seymour and Housing Minister Chris Bishop, who were accompanied by several dogs on the steps of Parliament today.

Are you a landlord or a renter? What do you think about the change? Email news@thepost.co.nz.

“Pets are important members of many Kiwi families. It’s estimated that around 64% of New Zealand households own at least one pet, and 59% of people who don’t have a pet would like to get one,” Bishop says.

“Anyone who has ever tried to find a pet-friendly rental property will know how hard it is, so we’re going to make it easier.”

Currently the Act doesn’t mention pets, except in relation to boarding houses. A tenancy agreement can include conditions around the keeping of pets, but the maximum bond landlords are able to collect is four weeks.

Renters find it notoriously difficult to secure a property if they have a pet.

ACT had campaigned on introducing a pet bond.

Leader David Seymour said the policy will fix the problem of tenants being locked out of rental markets due to landlords not being willing to take a risk on tenants with pets.

“There are tenants out there who would be more than happy to pay a little extra in order to live in their preferred home with their very good boy,” Seymour said.

“More landlords would be willing to allow pets if they could protect themselves from some of the risks.”

Renters United spokesperson Luke Somervell described the bond as “a coat of paint over a shabby situation for renters” and another cost for renters to “fork out”.

With the “no cause” tenancy terminations set to return, the announcement was “pretty moot”, he said.

“If the Government really wanted to make it easier for pet owners to rent, they would make it so that a landlord would have to accept a renter who lodged a pet bond but there’s actually nothing to say that they will.”

It did not address the “fundamental power imbalance between landlords and renters”, he said, with any issues only refutable through the “lengthy and inaccessible process of the tenancy tribunal”.

“There’s nothing to say, the pet bond won’t be another way of for landlords to pad their wallets and at renters’ expense.”

Seymour said the policy was also important for helping victims of domestic violence move on with their lives.

”Often, people stay in relationships to look after pets and become stuck. Helping these people find rentals that are accepting of pets will allow them to move on safely and have a brighter future.”

Pet Refuge founder Julie Chapman said pets had been in the organisation’s care for months at a time while owners struggled to find housing. The organisation provides shelter for pets whose owners are escaping domestic violence.

“It’s heart-breaking that owners have to part with their much-loved pet because they can’t find a rental to take them both,” said Chapman.

“Many of the people we help describe their pet as their rock, their protector and source of comfort, and keeping them in their lives is a huge part of their recovery.”