At Realmark, we’ve noticed some ongoing confusion surrounding the mid-2024 legislative changes that affect a tenant’s right to have pets or make minor modifications to a rental property.
Many landlords assume they can refuse such requests if they have what they consider to be reasonable grounds. However, recent case outcomes show otherwise. The Commissioner for Consumer Protection has been approving around 80% of tenant requests, with rejections only made on very limited grounds.
Across the market, we’ve seen owners attempt to impose special conditions when approving pets or modifications. Yet, in most cases where these have gone before the Commissioner, the conditions have been overturned. The reasoning is simple: the Residential Tenancies Act and standard Residential Tenancy Agreement already include “make good” provisions that adequately protect the landlord’s interests.
It’s important to understand the intent behind the new legislation. The goal is to give tenants greater flexibility to make a rental property feel like their home. As a result, the scope for landlords to refuse these requests has become extremely limited, to the point where approval is now almost the expected outcome.
While this shift can be unsettling, especially for landlords with a personal attachment to their property, it’s worth remembering that tenants are still required to restore the property to its original condition at the end of the tenancy.
Another key point to note is timing. Landlords must respond to pet or modification requests within 14 days. Failing to do so means the request is automatically approved by default, a scenario that can easily be avoided with proactive management.
In this changing landscape, having the right property management support is essential. An experienced managing agent can help you understand what constitutes reasonable grounds for objection, ensure compliance with statutory timeframes, and manage applications to the Commissioner when needed.
If you’re unsure how these changes affect you, our Property Management is here to provide clarity and guidance to help you make informed decisions with confidence.