Login
iscover
Property managers and landlords in Tasmania will soon be required to provide a valid reason for stopping tenants from keeping pets, following the passage of a bill through Parliament this week.
New laws to roll out from early 2026 will ensure Tasmanian renters don’t have to choose between their place of residence and their beloved pets, as landlords will need valid reasons to reject pet rental applications.
The Residential Tenancy Amendment (Pets) Bill 2025, which passed through the Tasmanian Parliament on Wednesday, will enable tenants to keep pets in their rental properties.
Under the new changes, renters will still need to inform their landlord that they wish to own a pet and specify the type of animal.
Property owners must then respond to the request within two weeks; otherwise, it will be approved automatically.
If landlords decide to reject the request, they will then need to inform the Tasmanian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (TASCAT), which will determine whether their reason is valid.
Under the new rules, a pet may be refused entry if it causes a nuisance on the premises, causes damage, or poses a safety risk to other residents.
Minister for Small Business, Trade and Consumer Affairs, Guy Barnett, said similar laws were already in place in other jurisdictions and Tasmanians deserved the same rights.
“We know pets are part of the family, and our government has been working to deliver the things that matter to Tasmanians, just like this reform,” he said.
“The bill strikes the right balance, and I thank animal lovers and the real estate industry for working with the government on this bill.”
Ahead of the changes to commence in early 2026, the government will finalise the application processes to make the update as smooth as possible for renters, property owners, and property managers.
In May this year, NSW also rolled out new changes to make it easier for tenants to own pets, with landlords only able to reject their request for specific reasons.
Similarly, Victoria introduced laws in 2020 that meant rental providers cannot unreasonably refuse consent for renters to keep animals.
You might also like: [NSW reforms to cut rental costs and simplify pet ownership]
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
You are not authorised to post comments.
Comments will undergo moderation before they get published.