Can you have a pet in strata?

Pets and strata have had a complicated relationship. But in recent years, the rules have shifted significantly in favour of pet owners, and it’s worth knowing where things stand.

In most Australian states, strata buildings can no longer impose a blanket ban on pets. The law has moved to recognise that a pet should generally be allowed unless there’s a specific, reasonable objection.

That said, your building may still have by-laws that place conditions on keeping a pet. Common conditions include:

• Registering your pet with the strata manager
• Keeping pets off common property or using designated areas
• Managing noise and waste responsibly
• Ensuring your pet doesn’t cause a nuisance to other residents

Before you bring a pet home, check your building’s by-laws and have a chat with your strata manager. That one step can save a lot of stress later.

If you think your building has an unreasonable by-law around pets, you have the right to raise it at a general meeting and move to have it changed. For more on how that process works, take a look at our article on by-laws.

Pets bring genuine joy to people’s lives, and many strata residents find that sharing a building with fellow animal lovers adds to the sense of community. Being a responsible pet owner in strata, cleaning up, keeping noise down, respecting common areas, is one of the ways you contribute to a positive environment for everyone.

For more information on pet rules specific to your building or state, speak to your strata manager or check the website of your state or territory’s relevant consumer or fair-trading authority.