Landlord cites new laws that allow him to charge extra for keeping dogs inside, residents school him by explaining the fine print that he clearly didn't read: 'Do I look like I live on a farm?'

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Blake Seidel • Managing Editor & Brand Manager
Feb 17, 2026 9:00 AM EST

Always read the fine print.

Landlords are always coming up with new ways to squeeze more money out of their renters. Pet fees, fumigations, dirty carpets, insulation… you name it, your landlord is going to try to increase your rent because of it. And usually they can, unless they fail to read the fine print. That's when these residents got the last laugh! Citing a new law that could force tenants to keep their pets outdoors or make them pay for fumigations and professional rug cleaning upon leaving, people started to question such an outrageous rule. Upon further inspection, they understood that this law was mostly meant to be enforced on homes with farm animals, as it's clearly inhumane to keep a dog outside 24/7. We're happy to say that all these doggos are happily sleeping on their pawrent's couches, and landlords are no richer than they were yesterday.

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  • 01

    Dog indoors with new laws - yay or nay?

    Golden Retriever Sleeping on a Couch Indoors including 'It is unreasonable for them to expect you to keep the dog outside'
    via TrueCreatives

    Golden Retriever Sleeping on a Couch Indoors

    Image is representative only and does not depict the actual subjects of the story.

  • 02
    Tenants already have to comply with the conditions of their agreement, including that the property is kept reasonably clean, that the tenant does not cause or allow a nuisance to others, and that the tenant does not intentionally or negligently damage the property. Landlords can add additional terms to the agreement as a condition of their consent for a pet. These conditions must be reasonable. Reasonable conditions that the landlord may ask for include: • The animal is not allowed to be indoors
    via No_Replacement5300
  • 03
    Curious to see if there's any clarification on the new pet laws introduced in NSW last year.
    via No_Replacement5300
  • 04
    For example, in our current rental our dog was accepted by our REA BEFORE the 2025 laws kicked in. The clauses state the dog must not be indoors, and fumigation/carpet cleaning is still required.
    via No_Replacement5300
  • 05
    With a previously signed contract, are these requests still valid with the changes?
    via No_Replacement5300
  • 06
    I.E. can I now reasonably have my dog indoors with me (and if it can, does the landlord now have to be made aware). OR, if my dog stays outside, do I still have to pay for fumigation and carpet cleaning?
    via No_Replacement5300
  • 07
    Can't seem to have a straight answer as this is the only piece of information I can find about indoors (from service nsw) What are your thoughts?
    via No_Replacement5300
  • 08
    Particular_Shock_554 Can't leave your dog outside in summer. If they expect you to, it indicates how much casual cr Ity you can expect from them.
    via Particular_Shock_554

  • Even landlords have a heart. If not for humans, then they might at least have some compassion for a cute doggo. Only certain dog breeds are meant to live outside, like livestock guardians. When we were growing up, we adopted a rescue great pyrenees (which are typically used on farms as guardians). We tried to get them to sleep inside with us, but every night, they would sit and look outside, whining until we let them out. They just loved sleeping out in the open air. We tried buying them a big fancy bed and everything, but they still wanted to sleep on the porch. They were our fierce and fluffy protectors! 

  • 09
    zepthiir my thoughts are under the new laws any clause preventing the dog from being indoors is now considered unreasonable and as such would be unenforceable
    via zepthiir
  • 10
    Turkish breed shepherd dog Kangal as guarding dog
    via berkay08

    Turkish breed shepherd dog Kangal as guarding dog

    Image is representative only and does not depict the actual subjects of the story.

  • 11
    Medical-Potato5920 A dog is typically an indoor/outdoor animal. The only dogs that are outdoors only are working farm dogs, and they have their own kennels. It is unreasonable for them to expect you to keep the dog outside. It is also unreasonable for them to expect professional carpet cleaning if you have an outdoor dog. Perhaps this is them understanding that the dog will be inside.
    via Medical-Potato5920
  • 12
    FilthyPatriot I think you are interpreting it wrong, not indoors part is for animals that normally aren't kept inside. The carpet cleaning and fumigating is only if the landlord makes it part of your agreement it's not a hard and fast rule.
    via FilthyPatriot
  • 13
    crypto_zoologistler When I had a dog every rental said he could never come inside, we had him inside about 22 hours a day and it never caused a single issue
    via crypto_zoologistler
  • 14
    FishermanOrnery 1602 I don't think I can help with your question. The moment I hand over money for the sole purpose of a pet bond is the same moment I decide where my pets reside. The fact I need to pay for fumigation when I leave the dwelling only sets in stone my decision to keep my pets inside.
    via FishermanOrnery
  • 15
    Ornery-Practice9772 Doggo: steam cleaning. I doubt they would request fumigation, i'll leave that up to them. My doggo is inside/outside as she pleases and sleeps inside at night. She is approved on the lease (2mo after moving- NOT ON THE APPLICATION), i said outside dog. She's toilet trained, causes zero damage, i get the place steam cleaned for inspections cause carpets are like 35 yrs old and there is so much dust and crap no matter how much i vacuum (about 2-3 times a week) LL isnt gonna kno
    via Ornery-Practice9772

  • There's a line every pet owner has to draw in the sand when it comes to living arrangements and landlords. If the line is crossed, then you either have to move to another place or fight for your pet's right as a member of your family. You won't always win, and we've had to move because landlords don't have much accountability when it comes to their policies. It's not fun, but it's worth it to make sure your pet lives the life they deserve to live.

  • 16
    R4hscal We have a bunny. (Pet tax, from when we moved into our new place) We refused to fumigate because he is regularly flea treated and were able to provide evidence of that.
    via R4hscal
  • 17
    In the tenancy before that, we refused professional carpet cleaning because at that rental he was purely an outdoor bunny. They said "You can't prove that he was only outdoors." I said "You can't prove he was ever indoors." They never followed up after that.
    via R4hscal
  • 18
    Cheezburger Image 10605770240
    via R4hscal
  • 19
    justalittlejazz I will always remember my landlord being shocked that I wouldn't give the place a pet clean as it was in the tenancy agreement. I owned a Jungle Python. I asked what fur he could leave, what damage he could do by slithering. Ah, the silence →‣
    via justalittlejazz
  • 20
    Fantastic-Bed-1548 Can someone let my damn chicken know I cant have her in the house, demanding princess lets herself in constantly... she doesn't cause as much chaos as the time the goat let himself in though, that's a reasonable rule for goats.
    via Fantastic-Bed-1548
  • 21
    My interpretation is yes your dog can be inside unless they add conditions to the lease AND only under the circumstances outlined.
    via Fantastic-Bed-1548
  • 22
    Kezzatehfezza Dogs are allowed inside, as stated this mostly applies to farm animals(dod you actually read it?). Agreed fumigation is dumb though.
    via Kezzatehfezza
  • 23
    Western-Y Do I look like I live on a farm?
    via Western-Y

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landlord dogs fine print laws residents farm farm animals dog owners animals school
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