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Regional landlords have led the charge in Australia’s most pet-friendly suburbs, providing the widest rental options and the lowest “pet property tax” for tenants.
New data revealed that regional areas have consistently provided more affordable, pet-friendly rentals, while major cities remain costly and restrictive for tenants with animals.
Many Australians who own pets have faced fewer options in an already tight rental market, as landlords across the country charge a higher premium out of caution for potential damage.
Budget Pet Products data has revealed that pet-friendly rentals make up on average 15.91 cent of advertised properties nationwide, while residents are charged on average 7.51 per cent more than non-pet-friendly rentals.
However, several major cities offer a reprieve for pet owners with better availability and affordability.
In Darwin, pet-friendly rentals comprise 32 per cent of listings, while in Logan City, pet-friendly rentals make up 30 per cent of listings.
Meanwhile, in Townsville, 27 per cent of rentals listed accommodate pets.
The results compare favourably to major metropolitan cities such as Sydney and Melbourne, which have lower availability of pet-friendly rentals at 12 per cent and 7 per cent, respectively.
“This availability reflects a growing trend in regional areas to accommodate renters with pets, providing greater housing flexibility for animal owners,” Budget Pet said.
While Sydney has been listed as one of the least pet-friendly cities across the country, the recent NSW Residential Tenancies Amendment Regulation 2025 may turn the rental market over for pet lovers.
Following the new NSW rental laws, landlords must allow renters to keep up to four animals inside the property and can only refuse on specific grounds, including inadequate space, excessive damage or unreasonable conditions.
Additionally, pet owners said that even cities with growing populations were not much more accommodating, with Newcastle and Canberra at 16 per cent and 9 per cent, respectively.
“This scarcity exacerbates the difficulty for pet owners in these urban markets and contributes to higher rent premiums where pets are accepted,” it said.
When it comes to the dreaded “pet tax”, several cities strayed from the trend of costlier rents for pet-friendly listings, and in fact, offered cheaper prices for pet owners.
The cities include Bendigo, where residents with pets can rent an apartment for up to 10 per cent less and save an average of $58 a week.
Perth and Wollongong follow, with tenants paying 4 per cent and 2 per cent, respectively.
However, Sydney tops the list as the city with the highest pet tax, with pet-friendly rents on average being 25 per cent higher than non-pet listings, adding up to nearly $270 more a week.
Newcastle and Launceston follow with 22 per cent and 14 per cent higher rents, respectively.
With data showing the overwhelming benefits of owning an animal, there are calls for landlords to offer more pet-inclusive policies.
According to the Human Animal Bond Research Institute (HABRI), a 2022 survey revealed 76 per cent of US pet owners reported that their health had improved as a result of owning a pet.
Another 87 per cent of respondents reported experiencing mental health improvements from pet ownership.
Budget Pet Products director, Karla VanDepol, said that Australians should be able to enjoy the company of pets without incurring an extra financial burden.
“This added burden makes it tough for pet owners, especially in cities like Sydney, to hold onto their beloved animals,” she said.
“Landlords have a real opportunity to make a difference by adopting more pet-friendly policies, making renting with pets a realistic option for more Australians,” she concluded.
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