Australia has one of the highest rates of pet ownership in the world—over two-thirds of households have a furry, feathered, or scaled family member. With one in five Australians now living in a strata scheme, it’s no surprise that pets and strata by-laws are one of the most common sources of dispute.

So what are your rights if you live in (or are planning to move into) a strata property in NSW?

The Role of By-Laws

Every strata scheme in NSW is governed by by-laws, which outline the rules for living in that community. Pet ownership is one of the areas where by-laws often differ:

• Older schemes may rely on Schedule 1 by-laws (before July 1997), which usually require written approval from the Owners Corporation.
• Newer schemes may use the Model by-laws, which give three options:
  1. Pets allowed with Owners Corporation approval,
  2. Pets allowed under certain conditions (e.g. carrying them through common areas), or
  3. Pets not allowed.

Importantly, Owners Corporations can amend these by-laws at any time with a special resolution.

Can an Owners Corporation Ban Pets?

In practice, pet bans are becoming harder to enforce. NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal (NCAT) decisions in recent years have ruled that blanket bans on pets are “harsh, unconscionable or oppressive” under the Strata Schemes Management Act 2015.

That means while by-laws can regulate how pets are kept, an outright ban is unlikely to stand up if challenged.

Owners vs Tenants: Approvals You’ll Need

If you own your apartment, you’ll need to check your scheme’s current by-laws and, in most cases, apply for written approval.

If you rent, you’ll generally need two approvals:

• From your landlord or property manager, and
• From the Owners Corporation.

Skipping either step could leave you in breach of your lease or the scheme’s rules.

What if Your Request Is Denied?

If your Owners Corporation refuses approval, but you believe the decision is unreasonable, you have options:

• Start with an informal discussion with the committee or strata manager.
• Escalate to mediation through NSW Fair Trading.
• If unresolved, apply to NCAT for adjudication.

Document everything—letters, emails, and meeting minutes—as evidence.

Metro Strata’s Role

At Metro Strata, we guide owners and committees through pet-related disputes with clarity and impartiality. While strata managers don’t decide the rules, we help ensure that by-laws are applied fairly and consistently—and that any changes are made in line with NSW legislation.

Final Word

Pets are part of the family, and for most strata residents, they’re here to stay. The key is understanding your scheme’s by-laws, your rights under NSW law, and the processes in place to resolve disputes.