The Tenant Who Stabled a Horse Indoors

This piece is part of our International Bizarre Landlord Stories series. Today’s story was first reported in New Zealand.

When neighbours complained about unusual noises and a strong smell of hay coming from a suburban home, the landlord investigated. To their astonishment, they found a full-sized horse being kept inside the property. The tenant had cleared space in the living room, laying down straw and feed, effectively turning it into a stable.

The discovery

Reports suggested that the horse had been brought indoors during a spell of bad weather and never left. Hoof prints marked the wooden flooring and hay bales were stacked in the hall. Unsurprisingly, the property quickly became uninhabitable for normal residential use.

The aftermath

Animal welfare services were called in to remove the horse and rehouse it appropriately. The landlord faced tens of thousands in repairs, including structural reinforcements where the horse’s weight had damaged floorboards. The case quickly became a talking point in New Zealand media.

Lessons for landlords

• Watch for animal welfare concerns. Unusual smells and noises can indicate tenants are keeping unsuitable animals indoors.
• Maintain inspection rights. Routine checks, carried out with notice, help landlords detect serious misuse of property.
• Clarify pet clauses. Ensure tenancy agreements clearly prohibit livestock or specify conditions for animals.
• Protect against repair costs. Insurance coverage for accidental damage caused by tenants can help soften financial blows.

Your experience

Have you ever discovered an animal being kept in a rental property that should never have been there. Share your story below and join the discussion with fellow landlords.

Series so far

• The Tenant Who Kept a Tiger in a Harlem Apartment
• The Day a Cow Knocked at a Fourth-Floor Flat
• When a Tenant Found a Python in the Toilet
• The Tenants Who Turned a Flat into a Miniature Zoo
• The Room Filled With 200 Bottles of Urine
• The Tenant Who Took the Roof With Them
• The Apartment That Became a Cat Colony
• The Tenant Who Grew Mushrooms in the Sitting Room

Background coverage: NZ Herald report.