Explained: How Queensland’s new pet-friendly rental laws will work

Tenants will have boosted rights to own pets in their rental properties under laws to pass parliament, but landlords have also been given a safeguard. This is what you need to know.

Tenants will have boosted rights to own pets in their rental properties, with landlords stripped of their absolute rights to deny requests under new laws to pass parliament on Thursday.

The significant reforms only allow property owners to refuse a pet on “reasonable grounds”, including that the property is unsuitable because of a lack of space or fencing, there was an unacceptable risk to health and safety, or that it was against bylaws.

Lessors can place reasonable conditions on pet ownership, including that the pet is to be kept outside or that carpets are cleaned and the property is fumigated at the end of a lease.

But renters will be able to take the lessor to the Residential Tenancies Authority for dispute resolution, or to the Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal if they believe their request has been unfairly rejected.

Opposition housing spokesman Tim Mander said the reforms eroded property owners’ rights and landlords “could rightly feel aggrieved that they’ll no longer have the final right to advise the tenants whether they can have a pet on their property or not”.

But Housing Minister Leeanne Enoch said the laws had been consulted on for “many years” and found “the appropriate balance”.

“Covid has reinforced how important pets can be for people’s wellbeing which is why this is an important inclusion in the bill,” she said.

Tenants will have more rights when it comes to pets in rental properties. Picture: Istock

Real Institute of Queensland (REIQ) chief executive Antonia Mercorella said the pet topic was divisive.

“Many tenants want pets and equally, many property owners don’t want to deal with the potential issues pets can cause, namely the perceived risk of property damage,” she said.

Ms Mercorella said the laws contained an important safeguard that pet damage was not considered fair wear and tear, meaning owners could pursue compensation for damage caused by pets.

“We acknowledge there will still be some owners and property managers who think the reforms are unfairly favourable to tenants,” she said.

The laws also enforce minimum standards for basic safety, security and functionality and follow the heartbreaking 2010 death of baby Isabella Diefenbach, who fell from her parents Yeppoon balcony when her father’s foot fell through a rotted wooden plank the family had complained about.

Landlords can be fined up to $6850 if they don’t comply with a repair order, with that fine rising every week the work’s not done.

The laws end without-ground evictions by owners, but expand the approved reasons for owners and renters to end tenancies.

However, the LNP has complained “crazy changes” mean periodic tenancies will become “perpetual”.

It will be easier for a person fleeing domestic violence to exit a tenancy contract or change the locks without the owner’s consent to ensure their own safety.

The Opposition will introduce amendments but will support the bill.