Can a landlord ban pets in a rental property?

Last updated: March 2026. Legal information is subject to change – always check the current legislation at wetten.nl.

What does the law say?

Yes, a landlord may include a ban on pets in the tenancy agreement. However, a complete and absolute ban on all pets is not always enforceable. The court may set aside such a ban if enforcing it would be unreasonable.

The law does not contain a specific article regulating pets in rented accommodation. The basic rule is: whatever is stated in the tenancy agreement applies. Has the landlord included a ban on pets? Then, in principle, you need their permission before getting a pet.

Section 7:213 of the Dutch Civil Code requires you, as a tenant, to behave as a good tenant (check this section on wetten.nl for the most up-to-date version). This means, amongst other things, that you must not damage the property or cause a nuisance to neighbours and the landlord. A pet that causes a persistent nuisance or damage constitutes a breach of this article – regardless of whether there is a ban in the contract.

Article 6:248(2) of the Dutch Civil Code stipulates that a contractual provision shall not apply if its application would be unacceptable according to standards of reasonableness and fairness (check this article on wetten.nl for the most up-to-date version). Courts apply this principle to pet bans. A complete ban on all animals – including a goldfish or a rabbit in a cage – may be unreasonable in specific circumstances if the animal demonstrably causes no nuisance or damage.

What judges do in practice: they assess each case individually. They weigh the landlord’s interests (risk of damage, nuisance to other tenants) against the tenant’s interests (personal bond with the animal, family circumstances). An absolute ban without any nuance is more likely to be overturned by a judge than a ban with a reasonable justification.

Please note: even if a judge rules that the ban is unreasonable, you are still obliged to be a good tenant. Your pet must not cause a nuisance, cause damage or contravene any Owners’ Association (VvE) rules where applicable.

When does this apply to you?

There is a ban in your contract

Does your tenancy agreement state ‘no pets allowed’? Then you formally require the landlord’s permission. Are you getting a pet without permission anyway? Then you are taking a risk:

The landlord may order you to remove the animal.
If you refuse, they can take legal action.
In the event of a serious or repeated breach, the landlord may seek termination of the tenancy agreement.

However: the landlord must be able to demonstrate a valid interest. If the animal causes no nuisance, no damage and there are no owners’ association rules involved? Then it is unlikely that a court would allow termination simply for keeping a rabbit or a cat.

There is no ban in your contract

Does the contract say nothing about pets? Then, in principle, you are allowed to keep a pet – as long as you behave like a good tenant. Does the animal cause a nuisance or damage? Then the landlord is still justified in taking action.

Homeowners’ Association rules

Do you live in a block of flats with a Homeowners’ Association? In that case, the Homeowners’ Association rules may prohibit or restrict pets. These rules apply alongside your tenancy agreement. Always check whether there are Homeowners’ Association rules – even if your tenancy agreement does not prohibit anything.

When do you have a strong position?

Your position is stronger if:

the animal does not cause a nuisance or damage,
there are no HOA rules prohibiting it,
the ban in the contract is absolute and indiscriminate (any animal, large or small),
you have had the animal for some time without any problems,
the landlord only takes action after a long time.

Step-by-step guide – what can you do now?

Read your tenancy agreement. Does it contain a ban on pets? Does it also state what the consequences are? Make a note of exactly what it says. Does it say nothing? Then there is no formal ban.
Check the owners’ association rules. Do you live in a block of flats? Ask the landlord or property manager for the owners’ association rules. A ban imposed by the owners’ association is often harder to challenge than a contractual ban.
Request permission in writing. Do you want to get a pet? Send an email to the landlord. Describe the animal (type, breed, size). Explain why and state that you will prevent any nuisance or damage. Keep a copy of the reply.
If the landlord does not respond or refuses without reason, record their response. A refusal without any justification provides a basis if you later wish to argue that the ban is unreasonable.
Do you already have a pet without permission? Ensure the animal does not cause any nuisance or damage. Document that there are no problems. Keep a record of communications with neighbours and the landlord.
Have you received a formal notice to remove the animal? Respond in writing. Ask questions: what is the specific damage or nuisance? Explain why the ban is unreasonable in your situation. Seek legal advice.
Have the situation assessed by a lawyer. Are you unsure whether the ban is enforceable in your case? A lawyer on Claim.Cafe can quickly assess your situation and advise you on the strongest course of action.

Common mistakes

Mistake 1: Thinking that a ban in the contract is meaningless. A contractual ban is a serious provision. Even though an absolute ban is not always enforceable, this does not alter the fact that you are taking a risk if you ignore it. Always ask for permission before getting a pet.

Mistake 2: Forgetting to check the owners’ association rules. Many tenants only look at their tenancy agreement. But if there is an owners’ association, its rules may contain a ban that is harder to circumvent than a contractual clause.

Mistake 3: Asking for verbal permission and thinking that is enough. Has the landlord said verbally that it is ‘no problem’? Always confirm this by email. Verbal permission is difficult to prove if a dispute arises later.

Mistake 4: Failing to respond to a formal notice from the landlord. Have you received a letter stating that you must remove the animal? Always respond in writing. If you do nothing, the landlord may interpret this as consent or as evidence that you are unwilling to negotiate.

Mistake 5: Assuming you can always stay if the animal isn’t causing a nuisance. A judge may also rule that a contractual ban is valid, even if there is no demonstrable nuisance. The outcome depends on all the circumstances. Don’t rely on assumptions – have your situation assessed.

Frequently asked questions

Can a landlord ban me from keeping a cat or dog?

Yes, they can do so via the tenancy agreement. However, an absolute ban on all pets is not always enforceable if its application would be unreasonable. If the animal causes no nuisance or damage and there are no owners’ association rules in play, the court is not always willing to order eviction or the removal of the animal.

What are the consequences if I keep a pet when it is prohibited?

The landlord can order you to remove the animal. If you refuse, they can take the matter to court. In the event of a serious or repeated breach, the court may allow the tenancy agreement to be terminated. The severity of the consequences depends on the specific circumstances.

Can I get permission to keep a pet if my contract prohibits it?

Yes. Request permission in writing from your landlord. Describe the animal and explain that you will prevent any nuisance or damage. Some landlords grant permission subject to conditions. Always put any agreement in writing.

Does the ban also apply to small animals such as a fish or a hamster?

An absolute ban on all animals – including a goldfish or a hamster in a cage – is more likely to be deemed unreasonable by a court, especially if the animal causes no nuisance or damage whatsoever. However, this is no guarantee. The court decides on a case-by-case basis, taking all circumstances into account.

Can I have my tenancy agreement amended so that I am allowed to keep pets?

You can ask the landlord to remove the clause or include an exception. This is a matter of negotiation – they are not obliged to agree. If you reach an agreement, always set this out in writing as an addendum to the tenancy agreement, signed by both parties.

Relevant legal provisions

Consult the following articles via wetten.nl for the exact and current text:

Section 7:213 of the Dutch Civil Code – tenant’s obligation to behave as a good tenant
Article 6:248(2) of the Dutch Civil Code – exclusion of a contractual provision where it is unacceptable according to standards of reasonableness and fairness
See also Book 7 of the Dutch Civil Code, section on residential tenancy law, for other provisions regarding the use of the rented residential property