A tenant has written consent to keep two cats and a dog. The landlord's property manager wants to take a separate pet bond for each animal. What does the Residential Tenancies Act 1986 allow?
Correct Answer
D) One pet bond only, of no more than two weeks' rent, whatever the number of pets.
Section 18AA, in force from 1 December 2025, lets a landlord who has agreed to a pet require a pet bond of no more than two weeks' rent. Subsection (2) says only one pet bond may be required at any one time, so the number of animals does not multiply it. Requiring a pet bond of more than two weeks’ rent is an unlawful act and an infringement offence (s 18AA(5)–(6)).
Why This Is the Correct Answer
Section 18AA(1)–(2) caps the pet bond at two weeks' rent and allows only one at a time.
Why the Other Options Are Wrong
Option A: A separate pet bond of up to two weeks' rent for each animal the tenant keeps.
Section 18AA(2) bars more than one pet bond at a time; the Act's own example is a tenant with three pets.
Option B: One pet bond of up to four weeks' rent, because several animals are kept.
Four weeks is the ceiling for the general bond under s 18; the pet bond ceiling is two weeks.
Option C: No pet bond, since pet damage must come out of the general bond.
Since 1 December 2025 s 18AA lets a landlord who has consented to a pet require a separate pet bond.
Background Knowledge for Property Management
Source: https://www.legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1986/0120/latest/whole.html
Exam Tip for Property Management
Pet bond: one bond, two weeks' rent, and only where the landlord has agreed to the pet.
Common Mistakes to Avoid on Property Management Questions
- •Treating the pet bond as payable per animal, or mixing it up with the four-week general bond.
More Property Management Questions
How long does a landlord have to lodge a bond with Tenancy Services after receiving it from a tenant?
Which of the following is a mandatory requirement for all rental properties under the Healthy Homes standards?
A periodic tenancy began 8 months ago and the rent has never been raised. If the landlord gives written notice today, when is the earliest a rent increase can take effect?
A property manager discovers a tenant has been subletting rooms without permission for 6 months, generating significant income. The head tenant is otherwise compliant and rent is current. What factors would most influence the Tenancy Tribunal's decision on termination?
Under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, what is the most a landlord can charge as a general bond (not counting any separate pet bond)?
- → Which of the following is NOT a mandatory requirement for tenancy agreements under the Residential Tenancies Act?
- → How much notice must a landlord give a tenant before conducting a routine property inspection?
- → A tenant has given 21 days' notice to terminate a periodic tenancy but wants to leave 5 days early. What must happen for this to be legally acceptable?
- → A tenant claims bond refund for $1,200 but the landlord disputes $400 for carpet cleaning. The tenant disagrees and applies to the Tenancy Tribunal. What happens to the bond during this dispute?
- → How often may a landlord carry out routine inspections during a tenancy?
- → A landlord wants to increase rent for a periodic tenancy. What is the minimum notice period they must give?
- → During a property inspection, a property manager discovers the tenant has installed a spa pool without permission. What is the most appropriate first step?
- → By what date did all private rental properties in New Zealand have to comply with the healthy homes standards?
- → A property manager conducts an inspection and finds the tenant has installed a heat pump without permission. The tenancy agreement prohibits alterations without consent. What can the landlord legally require?
- → During a property inspection, a landlord notices the tenant has changed the locks. Under what circumstances is this legally permitted?
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