Renting with pets: What tenants need to know

Finding a rental home that welcomes pets has historically been one of the more challenging aspects of the private rented sector. Since 1 May 2026, the rules have changed in a meaningful way for tenants in England. Understanding your rights, how the request process works, and how to put yourself in the best position is the most practical starting point.

Your right to request a pet

Since 1 May 2026, private tenants in England have the right to formally request permission to keep a pet in their rented home under the Renters' Rights Act. Blanket no-pets clauses in tenancy agreements are no longer enforceable. This does not mean every request will be approved, but it does mean your landlord must consider your request individually and cannot simply say no without a documented reason.

The right applies once you are already a tenant in a property. If you are searching for a new home before signing a tenancy agreement, the statutory process does not yet apply, though it is still worth raising the topic with agents and landlords at that stage.

How to make a request

Your request must be made in writing and must include a description of the pet. It is worth including details about the type of animal, its size, breed, and temperament where relevant. The more information you provide, the easier it is for your landlord to reach a decision within the required timeframe.

Your landlord has 28 days to respond to your request in writing. That window can be extended in two circumstances: if they reasonably ask for more information about the pet within the first 28 days, the final decision becomes due seven days after you provide that information; and if they need consent from a superior landlord or freeholder, the deadline extends to seven days after that consent is received or refused. If your landlord does not respond within the required period, consent is considered to have been granted.

When a request can be refused

A refusal must be specific to the property and the animal, not a general policy. Reasonable grounds for refusal might include a superior lease or freeholder agreement that prohibits animals, a property that is genuinely unsuitable for the specific type of pet, or concerns about the welfare of other occupants. A general dislike of pets, or an unsubstantiated worry about potential damage, will not meet the reasonableness standard the law requires.

If you believe a refusal is unreasonable, the Private Rented Sector Ombudsman, once operational, will handle disputes of this kind. You can also seek advice from Citizens Advice or take the matter to court.

What your landlord cannot do

Your landlord cannot charge you extra fees, request an additional deposit, or require you to pay for a specific pet insurance policy as a condition of giving consent. A requirement for pet insurance was proposed while the Act was passing through Parliament but was not included in the final legislation, so any landlord asking for it as a condition of consent is going beyond what the law allows.

Demanding a higher rent because of a pet is also not permitted. Once consent has been given, it cannot be withdrawn. If you want to keep an additional or different pet in future, that requires a separate written request.

Whether you are searching for a new home or already renting and considering getting a pet, a few straightforward habits make the process smoother:

• Use pet-friendly filters. Most major property portals let you filter for landlords who have already indicated a willingness to consider animals.

• Raise it early and transparently. When approaching a new landlord, mention a pet upfront rather than after you've settled in.

• Get a pet reference. A note from a previous landlord confirming your animal caused no damage or disturbance is a useful addition to any formal written request.

• Never move a pet in without permission. Doing so before consent is granted could put your tenancy at risk.

A note on assistance and emotional support animals

Assistance animals are trained working companions for people with a disability and are subject to different rules. Emotional support animals are not the same thing in law, they fall under the same rules as ordinary domestic pets and go through the standard request process above.

Talk to our lettings team about finding your next home