Pets in public housing

There are many benefits to families and individuals by keeping animals as pets.

This includes the importance of assistance animals to people with disabilities.

Read below to find out how to notify and get approval from the chief executive officer (CEO) for Housing.

Your responsibilities

You're responsible for looking after your pets and keeping them healthy.

If you keep pets, you must consider their ongoing welfare and safety.

You can keep pets in your housing property if:

  • they do not prevent lawful entry to the property
  • they do not cause a nuisance or danger to others
  • they do not cause damage to the property
  • you comply with all local council by-laws for keeping pets
  • your pet is registered and has relevant certificates
  • the body corporate allows pets.

Read more about being a responsible pet owner.

You must notify the CEO for Housing of your intention to keep a pet or assistance animal.

The CEO has 14 days to consider your notice.

During this time, you cannot keep your pet or assistance animal at the premises.

To notify the CEO, follow these steps.

Step 1. Fill in the intention to keep a pet form.

Intention to keep a pet form PDF (572.0 KB)
Intention to keep a pet form DOCX (61.3 KB)

Step 2. Attach any registration or ownership documents.

Step 3. Lodge the form and any supporting documents at your local housing office.

To build a permanent structure such as a cage, enclosure or fence, you must get written approval from the CEO for Housing

Get the approval before you make changes to the property.

Read more about alterations and additions.

To bury a pet or assistance animal, you must get written approval from the CEO for Housing.

The approval will ensure all relevant local council by-laws and environmental health laws are met.

You must follow your local council by-laws. Contact your local council to find out more about:

  • pet registration
  • keeping certain types or number of pets.

To keep snakes, reptiles and native animals, you may also need permits.

Find your local council.

To breed or keep animals for commercial purposes, you must get written consent from the CEO for Housing.

You should make a complaint if you are concerned an animal is:

  • possibly dangerous
  • causing a nuisance
  • injured or ill
  • being badly treated or neglected.

Make complaints about nuisance or dangerous pets to your local council.

Read more about reporting animal cruelty or neglect.

If a complaint is received

If your pet is causing a nuisance or danger to residents, the CEO for Housing may refer the matter to the local council or animal welfare inspectors.

You are responsible for how your pet behaves while in your care.

This includes any damage your pet makes to the premises.

You are responsible for the repairs and costs of any damage caused by a pet.

You also have a responsibility to make sure your pet does not continue to cause damage to the premises.

You may need to protect damaged areas your pet can access.

More information

For more information about keeping animals, contact your local housing office.

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