Queensland's pet rental laws explained

The new Queensland rules

Queensland's Residential Tenancies and Rooming Accommodation Act 2008 was amended to significantly restrict a landlord's ability to refuse pet requests. The changes came into effect in 2024 and build on earlier reforms that banned blanket 'no pets' clauses in new leases.

Requesting permission for a pet

Tenants must make a pet request in writing to the landlord or property manager. The request should include the type of animal, its breed (if applicable), whether it is desexed and vaccinated, and how you intend to prevent damage to the property.

Landlord response requirements

The landlord must respond to a pet request in writing within 14 days. If they don't respond within 14 days, the request is taken to be approved. If they refuse, they must give one of the following prescribed grounds:

• •The property is unsuitable for keeping an animal of that type (e.g., no yard for a large dog)
• •Keeping the animal would cause unreasonable damage to the premises
• •Keeping the animal would cause a health risk to occupants
• •The number of animals would be too many for the property size
• •A body corporate rule or strata by-law prohibits animals

What tenants can do if refused

If your pet request is refused without a valid ground, or if the landlord fails to respond within 14 days, you can apply to QCAT for an order approving the pet. QCAT will consider whether the refusal is reasonable.

Pet bonds and conditions

Queensland allows landlords to impose reasonable conditions when approving a pet (such as professional cleaning at the end of the tenancy or the pet being kept outside). However, a separate 'pet bond' is not permitted in Queensland. Any pet-related damage at the end of the tenancy is addressed through the standard bond process.