New Pet Rules Give Student Renters More Rights, But No Guarantees

New tenancy rules make it harder for landlords to reject pets without explanation, but students wanting a pet may still face added costs, shared liability, and restrictions based on where they live.Since 1 December 2025, tenants have been able to ask their landlord for permission to keep a pet under changes to the Residential Tenancies Act.Landlords cannot unreasonably refuse a request. However, tenants must receive permission before bringing the animal into the property, unless the pet is alrea