Now NSW Strata Renters can also have Pets

Animal rights in strata title have improved enormously in the last 5 years with the default position now being that you can have pets unless they [or you] are the problem.

But, that’s only if you’re a strata owner pet owner because strata renters still need express approval from their landlords who aren’t obliged to agree.

And, since about half of all strata apartments are rented, that means a lot of strata pets remained disenfranchised.

NSW has now also changed the rental laws to permit strata renters to have pets by default, with the introduction of new provisions into the Residential Tenancies Act 2010.

It means that:

• Renters can ask landlords for permission to keep a pet.

• Landlords must make a decision within 21 days.

• If no decision is made within time, the pet is automatically approved.

• Permission can only be refused for very limited reasons [including that it would breach strata by laws; so that’s not a reason any more].

• There are limits on the conditions a landlord can impose on pet approvals.

• Renters can dispute a refusal to NCAT.

So, it now looks like the other half of strata will be keeping more and more pets in strata apartments.

You can find out more about the changes for renting strata pet owners at the NSW Fair Trading website.