Want to Keep a Pet in Your Strata Property? Here’s How to Get Approval

Thinking about bringing a furry friend into your strata home? You’re not alone. Whether it’s a playful pup, a quiet cat, or something a little more exotic, many strata residents want to share their homes with pets—and the good news is, it’s now a lot easier to get approval than it used to be.

In NSW, changes to strata laws mean your owners corporation generally can’t say no without a valid reason. But that doesn’t mean every request will be approved, there are still safeguards in place to protect all residents, including those who prefer a pet-free environment.

Below is a step-by-step guide on how to get approval. When you're ready to apply, you can download the pet application form directly from our website.

1. Understand the Rules

Strata schemes in NSW can no longer have blanket bans on pets. The law says that a request to keep an animal can only be refused if the animal is likely to cause unreasonable interference, like excessive noise, aggressive behaviour, or damage to common property. These rules are designed to balance the rights of pet owners with the rights of other residents to enjoy their homes in peace. Generally, your request to have a pet will be approved, but it's your responsibility to ensure it's not interfering with the community, otherwise, it may have to go. 

2. Review Your Scheme’s By-laws

Each strata scheme sets its own by-laws, which may include specific rules about:

• The types or size of pets allowed,

• Whether written approval is required,

• How pets must be handled in common areas (e.g. carried or on leash),

• Limits on how many pets you can have.

To get a copy of your scheme’s current by-laws, you can contact our office or your committee. If you’re not sure how to interpret the by-laws or whether they’ve been updated recently, we’re happy to help clarify them for you.

3. Submit a Pet Application

To keep a pet in your strata apartment, you’ll need to get formal approval from the owners corporation.

We’ve made the process simple, just head to our forms page to download the Pet Application Form, fill it out, and email it to hello@qtstrata.com.au. We’ll take it from there and guide you through the next steps.

4. Wait for a Response

Most requests are reviewed by the strata committee. If your pet is unlikely to cause issues for others, there’s a strong chance your request will be approved.

If the request is denied, the committee must provide clear, reasonable grounds. This ensures residents who have concerns about pets know their views are considered under the law.

5. Follow Any Conditions

Once approved, your owners corporation might attach a few simple conditions. These could include:

• Cleaning up after your pet in common areas,

• Ensuring your pet doesn’t disturb neighbours,

• Keeping your pet secure and under control.

These conditions are in place to protect the comfort and enjoyment of all residents, pet owners and non-pet owners alike.