Source: Radio New Zealand
Minister host a pet picnic at Parliament to mark the beginning of new ‘pet bond’ rules for renters, 1 December. RNZ/Craig McCulloch
More than 1700 pet bonds have been lodged with Tenancy Services since a new system allowing landlords to charge an additional bond for pets came into force late last year.
Housing Minister Chris Bishop and Associate Housing Minister Tama Potaka said 1708 pet bonds had been lodged since the changes took effect on 1 December, describing it as an early sign the policy was working.
“It’s great to see such a pawsitive (sic) response,” Bishop said. “It’s a reform that is working as intended, without any ruff (sic) edges.”
The pet bond system allows landlords to charge tenants up to two weeks’ rent as a separate bond, when they agree to a tenant keeping a pet, on top of the standard tenancy bond.
The bonds are lodged, managed and refunded through Tenancy Services in the same way as general bonds.
The changes marked a significant shift in tenancy rules, with landlords now unable to refuse a tenant’s request to keep a pet, unless they have reasonable grounds. Before the reforms, Bishop said many landlords were unwilling to consider tenants with animals at all.
“The reality at the moment is it’s a hard ‘no’ for almost everyone and what we’re doing is shifting that to ‘yes’, unless there are good reasons not to,” he said, when the rules were launched in December.
What constitutes “reasonable grounds” for refusing a pet will ultimately be determined by the Tenancy Tribunal, with tenants still liable for any pet-related damage beyond fair wear and tear.
Potaka said the milestone showed the changes struck the right balance between tenants and landlords.
“This is about giving renters a fair shot at keeping a pet, while making sure landlords have a clear and reliable process,” he said.
The reforms were marked with a pet-themed event at Parliament on the day the rules were launched.
ACT leader David Seymour said the changes were backed by groups such as Pet Refuge, which had highlighted cases where people delayed leaving dangerous situations, because they feared leaving pets behind.
“It’s worth it for that, if nothing else,” Seymour said at the time.
Tenancy Services has updated its guidance and forms to reflect the changes, and allows pet bonds to be lodged, topped up and refunded, alongside general tenancy bonds.
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– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand
LiveNews: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/02/07/pet-bonds-pass-1700-mark-in-first-months-of-new-system/