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It’s a sunny afternoon and you’ve invited a friend over for a coffee. They ask if they can bring their dog along for a few hours.
Seems harmless, right? But if you live in a body corporate scheme, the rules around visiting pets aren’t always straightforward.
Check the By-Laws First
Every body corporate has a set of by-laws that governs the use of common property and residents’ behaviour. These by-laws often include rules about animals.
While schemes can no longer prohibit animals altogether under Queensland law, they may still set reasonable conditions, and these rules can apply to visiting pets as well as those that live in the building.
The by-laws might:
- Require that any visiting pet have written approval from the committee
- Permit visiting pets but impose conditions like they must be on a leash, or cannot enter pool or common areas
Why the Rules Apply to Visiting Pets
By-laws don’t just apply to owners and tenants – they also extend to visitors. This means if your friend’s pet breaches the by-laws, the body corporate can issue a by-law breach notice to you as the resident.
Beyond by-law compliance, body corporate legislation also prohibits occupiers from creating a nuisance or hazard. This includes excessive noise, aggressive behaviour, or mess from an animal, whether it’s a permanent resident or just a visitor.
This would include:
- A visiting dog that barks persistently could be considered a nuisance
- An unleashed animal in common areas could pose a safety risk
- Any damage caused by the animal may be your responsibility to repair
The Best Approach
Before inviting a friend’s pet over:
- Read your by-laws and check if visiting pets are mentioned specifically.
- Ask your committee or caretaker. If it’s unclear, get written confirmation.
- Make sure the guest pet is supervised and all conditions, including being on a leash, waste disposal, and staying out of restricted areas are met.
By taking these steps, you can avoid unnecessary disputes and keep the afternoon visit stress-free for all two and four-legged guest.
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