Pets in strata properties used to be simple. The answer was often no. Now the answer is almost always yes, with conditions.

That shift has created confusion for landlords, tenants and even some strata managers.

Under NSW law, an owners corporation cannot simply ban pets. As the NSW Government states, “An owners corporation cannot stop you from owning a pet unless the pet causes ‘unreasonable interference’.” That is a significant change from the blanket bans many buildings used to rely on.

But that does not mean it is a free for all.

Permission still matters

When it comes to pets in strata properties, process is everything.

Most schemes require written notice to the owners corporation or strata manager. They may ask for details such as the pet’s name, breed, weight, vaccination records and microchip number. What they cannot do is charge a fee, require a bond or demand special insurance for the pet.

Tenants also need landlord consent. In NSW, landlords must respond to pet requests within 21 days or the request is automatically approved. That timeline matters.

We have seen situations where strata approval drags on just long enough that a landlord decides to go with another applicant who does not have a pet. Sometimes that delay is administrative. Sometimes it feels strategic.

From a management perspective, the key is clarity and speed. If the building requires approval, we seek it early and in writing so the application process does not stall.

The snake conversation we did not expect

One of the more memorable applications we managed involved a tenant wanting to keep a pet snake.

On paper, it seemed straightforward. Secure enclosure. Responsible owner. No common property exposure. We submitted the request to strata and waited.

The questions that came back were not what we anticipated.

How often would it be fed. What would it be fed. How often would it be out of its enclosure. What safeguards were in place to prevent escape. It turned into a surprisingly detailed discussion.

Was it excessive. Perhaps. Was it within their rights to ensure there was no unreasonable interference. Yes.

That example sums up pets in strata properties perfectly. It is rarely about the pet itself. It is about perceived risk.

What is unreasonable interference

Strata can only reject a pet if it causes unreasonable interference. That includes constant noise, aggressive behaviour, damage to common property, health risks or repeated nuisance.

A restricted or declared dangerous dog is another clear ground.

If a request is rejected without valid reason or not decided within a reasonable timeframe, owners can challenge the decision. Mediation is available through NSW Fair Trading, and ultimately the Tribunal can make orders.

Assistance animals are treated differently again. They cannot be banned, and by laws cannot interfere with their ability to perform their duty.

Where landlords need to be careful

For investors, the takeaway is not to resist pets automatically. It is to understand the framework.

Pets in strata properties are permitted unless they cause genuine issues. Landlords cannot charge pet bonds or increase rent solely because of a pet. Approval processes must be handled properly and documented.

Good management means anticipating these steps early, not scrambling after a lease is signed.If you own a strata property and want clarity around how pet requests should be managed in your building, or how strata by laws interact with tenancy law, you can contact us at Ledger & Lane here.

These conversations are far easier before there is a dispute.