Pets in rentals in Victoria are now governed by some of the most tenant-friendly laws in Australia. Since the landmark reforms to the Residential Tenancies Act 1997 took effect in March 2021, landlords can no longer simply say “no pets” without a valid legal reason — and tenants have a clear pathway to challenge an unreasonable refusal. Whether you are a tenant hoping to keep a dog or a landlord trying to understand your options, this guide breaks down exactly how the rules work in Victoria today.

What Does Victorian Law Actually Say About Pets in Rentals?

The 2021 reforms fundamentally shifted the default position on pets. Before the changes, a landlord could refuse a pet request with no explanation at all. Under the current framework, a tenant can apply to keep a pet by giving written notice to the landlord, and the landlord must respond within 14 days. If the landlord does not respond within that window, the application is automatically approved by default.

This is one of the most consequential details in the legislation. A landlord who ignores a pet application does not retain the right to say no later — silence is treated as consent. According to Consumer Affairs Victoria, this default-approval rule was introduced specifically to stop landlords from using inaction as an informal veto.

If a landlord wishes to refuse, they must apply to the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT) for an order preventing the pet. VCAT will only grant such an order on specific grounds, including:

• Keeping the pet would contravene a law or council planning scheme
• The rental property is genuinely unsuitable for the type of animal (for example, a very large dog in a small studio apartment)
• The number of pets proposed is unreasonable
• The landlord or a household member has a medically documented allergy to the animal
• The property is listed on the owner-corporation register and the rules of that owners corporation prohibit pets

Importantly, a general dislike of animals or a blanket “no pets” lease clause is not a valid ground for refusal under the current legislation. A “no pets” clause in a rental agreement is, in effect, unenforceable unless VCAT has specifically backed it up with an order.

Can a Landlord Impose Conditions on Approving a Pet?

Yes — but only conditions that are prescribed by the regulations. A landlord cannot simply invent new conditions. Under the Residential Tenancies Regulations 2021, a landlord may impose reasonable conditions such as:

• Requiring the tenant to have the property professionally steam-cleaned at the end of the tenancy
• Requiring flea treatment of the property at the end of the tenancy
• Requiring carpet or flooring to be professionally cleaned

These end-of-tenancy conditions are the primary tool landlords have for protecting their asset. Any condition that goes beyond what the regulations allow — for example, demanding a separate pet bond or extra weekly rent on top of the standard rent — is not permitted under Victorian law. It is worth noting that Victoria does not allow pet bonds separate to the standard bond (capped at one month’s rent for properties under the weekly rent threshold).

For landlords navigating these rules, our guide to pet-friendly rental properties for self-managing landlords in Australia walks through practical strategies for protecting your investment while staying on the right side of the law.

What Are Tenants’ Rights If a Landlord Refuses a Pet Request?

A tenant has the right to challenge a landlord’s refusal at VCAT. The process works as follows:

1. The tenant submits a written pet application to the landlord.
2. The landlord has 14 days to either approve (with or without conditions) or apply to VCAT for an order refusing the pet.
3. If the landlord does apply to VCAT, the tribunal assesses the grounds and can either uphold or reject the refusal.
4. If the landlord’s VCAT application is unsuccessful, the pet is approved.

VCAT data from 2023-24 shows that pet-related disputes have grown steadily as more tenants exercise their rights under the reformed legislation. In many cases, VCAT has found that landlords failed to demonstrate genuine grounds and the pet was approved over the landlord’s objection.

Tenants should also be aware that a landlord cannot evict a tenant simply because they have an approved pet. If a pet causes damage, the landlord’s remedy is to pursue a bond or compensation claim — not to terminate the tenancy on the basis of pet ownership alone.

How Does the Pet Rule Apply to Strata and Apartment Buildings?

This is one of the more nuanced areas of the law. If a rental property is in a building managed by an owners corporation, and the owners corporation rules prohibit pets, a landlord can rely on those rules to support a VCAT application to refuse. However, this is not automatic — the landlord still needs to apply to VCAT and demonstrate that the prohibition is legitimately in force.

In 2021, the Victorian Supreme Court confirmed that owners corporation pet bans are a legitimate basis for VCAT orders, but each case is assessed on its own facts. Some older by-laws have been found to be unenforceable if they are overly broad or were not properly adopted. Tenants in strata buildings should request a copy of the owners corporation rules before assuming a pet refusal is valid.

For broader context on how rental property rules interact with Victoria’s housing landscape, the Victoria property market 2026 deep dive provides useful background on vacancy rates, tenant demographics, and how pet-friendly rentals are influencing demand patterns across Melbourne and regional Victoria.

What Responsibilities Do Tenants Have When Keeping a Pet?

Approval to keep a pet does not remove tenant responsibility — it adds to it. Tenants are liable for any damage caused by their pet beyond fair wear and tear. According to Consumer Affairs Victoria, pet-related bond claims are among the most common categories of end-of-tenancy disputes. Tenants should:

• Document the property’s condition thoroughly at the start of the tenancy, including a detailed condition report with photographs
• Address any pet damage promptly rather than leaving it until vacating
• Comply with any VCAT-approved conditions (such as professional cleaning) when they leave
• Ensure their pet does not cause nuisance to neighbours, which could itself become grounds for a tenancy dispute

Tenants should also check local council by-laws, which govern the number of animals that can be kept on a property and licensing requirements for dogs and cats. These rules operate independently of the residential tenancy legislation and a breach of them can give a landlord grounds to apply to VCAT.

Understanding the full picture of your rights and obligations as a tenant — including the basics of how tenancies work — is essential. Our simple guide to rental properties for beginners covers the foundational concepts that every renter in Victoria should know.

What Should Landlords Do to Protect Their Investment?

The legislative environment in Victoria clearly favours tenant access to pets, but that does not mean landlords are without options. Smart landlords take a proactive approach:

• Respond to every pet application within 14 days. The default-approval trap catches many landlords off guard. Diarising the response deadline is essential.
• Document the property condition before a pet moves in. A thorough condition report signed by both parties is your strongest evidence in any end-of-tenancy dispute.
• Use the prescribed conditions. Professional end-of-tenancy cleaning clauses are your primary tool for cost recovery.
• Know your owners corporation rules. If your property is in a strata building with a legitimate pet prohibition, ensure you have current documentation ready if you need to apply to VCAT.
• Consider whether the pet risk is actually as high as you think. Research consistently shows that pet-owning tenants tend to stay longer (reducing vacancy costs) and take better care of a property. The financial calculus is not always against approving pets.

Landlords who manage their own properties need to be especially across these rules, as a missed deadline or improper condition can expose them to VCAT liability. The difference between being a well-informed landlord and a reactive one can have a real impact on your rental yield — for a full breakdown of how to calculate and protect that yield, see our rental yield property investment guide.

Key Takeaways: Pets in Rentals in Victoria

The rules around pets in rentals in Victoria represent a significant shift in the balance of power between landlords and tenants. Here is a quick summary of the most important points:

• Tenants have a right to apply to keep a pet in writing.
• Landlords must respond within 14 days or the pet is automatically approved.
• Landlords can only refuse by applying to VCAT on specific prescribed grounds.
• “No pets” lease clauses are effectively unenforceable without a VCAT order to back them up.
• Landlords can impose end-of-tenancy cleaning conditions but cannot charge additional rent or a separate pet bond.
• Tenants remain liable for any pet damage beyond fair wear and tear.
• Strata buildings with owners corporation pet bans may still support a valid VCAT refusal, but each case is assessed individually.

The Victorian framework is designed to give renters — who make up roughly 30% of all households according to 2021 ABS Census data — a fairer chance of living with a companion animal without fear of arbitrary refusal. For landlords, the key is staying informed, responding promptly, and using the legitimate tools the legislation provides. When both sides understand the rules clearly, pet disputes become far less common and tenancies tend to run more smoothly for everyone involved.