Why pet bonds matter for Wellington landlords now
From 1 December 2025, the rules for pets in New Zealand rentals changed. Tenants now need their landlord's consent to keep a pet, but landlords can only say no on reasonable grounds. In return, landlords can ask for a separate pet bond on top of the standard bond.
For Wellington landlords and property managers, that shift matters. Dogs are a big part of life here, from the Petone foreshore to the bush tracks around Karori and Porirua, and plenty of reliable tenants own one. With yes now the starting point, the real question is how to protect your property when you agree.
This guide covers how much a pet bond is, when you can still refuse a pet, what the bond covers, and the part of a rental that dogs affect most: the yard.
How much is a pet bond in NZ?
A pet bond in New Zealand can be up to two weeks' rent. It sits on top of the general bond, which is capped at four weeks' rent, so the most a landlord can hold for a tenancy with a pet is six weeks' rent in total.
A few practical points are worth knowing:
- Only one pet bond can be charged per tenancy, even if the tenant has consent for two dogs, or a dog and a cat.
- The bond must be a condition of your consent to the pet, and it should be clearly labelled as a pet bond on paperwork and receipts.
- It's lodged with Tenancy Services, the same as the general bond.
- A pet bond can't be charged for a disability assist dog.
Charging more than two weeks' rent, or charging a pet bond when no pet is kept, can lead to penalties, so it pays to get the paperwork right from the start.
Can a landlord refuse a pet in NZ?
Yes, but only on reasonable grounds. A landlord can no longer turn down a pet simply because they'd rather not have one. Tenants make the request in writing, and landlords are expected to reply within 21 days.
Reasonable grounds generally relate to the property or the animal rather than personal preference. Examples given by Tenancy Services include:
- the property is too small, poorly fenced or has features that would be hard to repair
- body corporate rules, cross-lease agreements or council bylaws don't allow pets
- the tenant hasn't met local animal rules such as registration or microchipping
- there are too many animals, or the pet's size or type isn't suited to the home
- the tenant has broken earlier pet conditions, or won't agree to reasonable ones
Wellington's housing makes some of these real considerations. A steep Brooklyn section with open banks, or a Te Aro apartment with a shared courtyard, is a very different proposition from a fully fenced backyard in Lower Hutt. Landlords can also attach reasonable conditions to their consent, and that is often a better path than a flat no.
What can a pet bond be used for?
A pet bond covers damage caused by the pet that goes beyond fair wear and tear. Tenants are liable for that damage, and every tenant named on the agreement shares the responsibility.
Fair wear and tear is the gradual decline you'd expect from everyday living. Pet damage is something more: chewed door frames, scratched floors, stained carpet, or a lawn that's been dug up or burnt in patches. If the tenant agrees, or the Tenancy Tribunal orders it, the pet bond can also go towards other costs such as unpaid rent or damage not caused by the pet.
The hard part is usually proving it. Disputes over pet damage tend to come down to evidence, and a vague memory of what the lawn looked like a year ago won't carry much weight. Dated photos taken at the start of the tenancy, at routine inspections and at move-out make the conversation far simpler for everyone.
Is a pet bond refundable?
Yes. A pet bond is held by Tenancy Services, not the landlord, and is refunded in the same way as any other bond. If there's no pet damage at the end of the tenancy, it goes back to the tenant in full. The bond system also allows a pet bond to be refunded during a tenancy if the pet leaves, and topped up if the rent rises.
For tenants, a clean and well-kept property is the simplest way to get that money back. For landlords, the bond only works as protection if you can show what changed.
Where dogs leave their mark: the yard
Inside the house, pet damage is usually obvious. Outside, it builds slowly and is easy to miss between inspections.
Dog waste left on a lawn kills grass in patches, attracts flies and, through a Wellington winter, soaks into the soil instead of drying out. Old waste can carry roundworm, hookworm and other parasites that linger in the ground long after the mess itself has gone. By the time a tenant moves out, a yard that looked fine at the last inspection can need a full clean-up and new turf.
What to check at inspections
- Bare or yellow patches in the lawn
- Waste building up along fence lines, behind sheds and in corners
- Digging, especially near fences and garden beds
- Smells around decks, paths and paved courtyards
Make yard care part of the conversation
When you agree to a pet, talk about how the yard will be looked after and write down what you both expect. Some tenants stay on top of it easily. Others work long hours, and the back lawn is the first thing to slide.
One rental we cleaned in Wainuiomata showed how quickly a yard can slide. The tenant's dog was well cared for, but the back lawn hadn't been scooped in many months and the grass was patchy and smelly. A single clean and a regular schedule had it looking like a normal family yard again. The dated before and after photos meant the landlord had a clear record of its condition.
Making pet-friendly rentals work in Wellington
The new rules shift the default towards yes, and for most Wellington landlords that can work well. A pet bond gives you a financial backstop, reasonable conditions set clear expectations, and good records settle most disputes before they start.
The yard is where a little routine care saves the most money. If you manage rentals or a body corporate across Wellington, the Hutt Valley or Porirua, PooPals can keep lawns and shared courtyards clean on a set schedule, with dated before and after photos after every visit. It's one less thing to chase, and a clear record if questions come up at the end of a tenancy.
This article is general information only, not legal advice. Check with Tenancy Services for the rules that apply to your situation.