Recent changes to Western Australia’s rental laws are making it easier for tenants to keep pets in rental properties, creating a fairer balance between housing security for renters and the rights of property owners to protect their investment.
Under updates to the Residential Tenancies Act in Western Australia, tenants now have the legal right to request permission to keep a pet in a rental property, and property owners must follow a clear legal process when considering that request.
What Has Changed?
Previously, property owners could generally choose whether or not pets were allowed in their rental property. Under the new legislation, tenants can now formally apply for permission to keep a pet, and owners can no longer simply decline without following the required process.
Once a tenant submits a pet request:
- The property owner has 14 days to respond.
- If the owner does not respond within 14 days, the request is automatically approved.
- If the owner wants to decline the request or apply special conditions, they must apply to the Commissioner for Consumer Protection within that same 14-day period.
- Special conditions (such as additional cleaning requirements or pet-related conditions) can only be enforced if approved by the Commissioner.
When Can A Pet Request Be Refused?
A property owner cannot simply refuse a pet request because they would prefer not to allow pets.
To decline a request, the owner must seek approval from the Commissioner within the required timeframe and provide reasonable grounds under the legislation.
However, Commissioner approval is not required if allowing the pet would breach another law or an existing strata by-law. For example:
- The property is located in a strata complex that prohibits certain pets.
- Local council regulations restrict keeping that type of animal at the property.
In these circumstances, the request may be refused without applying for Commissioner approval.
What About Pet Bonds and Property Damage?
The legislation also provides clearer guidance around protecting rental properties.
Where applicable, owners may request a pet bond in accordance with the legislation, and tenants remain responsible for:
- Any damage caused by the pet
- Maintaining cleanliness of the property
- Repairing or covering costs associated with pet-related damage beyond fair wear and tear
The intention is to allow more renters to secure housing with their pets while ensuring property owners still have protections in place.
What This Means for Property Owners
For landlords and investors, these changes mean pet requests must now be handled carefully and within strict legal timeframes.
Missing the 14-day response period can result in automatic approval, even if concerns exist.
Understanding when Commissioner approval is required, what conditions can legally be requested, and how strata regulations may affect decisions is now an important part of managing rental properties in Western Australia.
The Role of Property Managers
Property managers now play an important role in helping owners stay compliant with the new legislation.
This includes:
- Managing pet applications correctly
- Advising owners on legal obligations
- Lodging Commissioner applications when required
- Ensuring both tenant rights and owner interests are protected
As rental laws continue to evolve in Western Australia, staying informed is essential for both property owners and tenants.
Understanding the process early can help avoid delays, disputes, and unintended approvals.
For more information, visit the official resources available through Consumer Protection WA and recent updates surrounding Western Australia’s rental law reforms.
If you’re interested in renting with Summit Realty please contact our Portfolio & Strata Manager, Kim Dawes on kimd@summitrealty.com.au