By Sarah Sheehan

Trainee CILEx Lawyer

25 June 2026

Article Blog

Prior to the implementation of the Renters’ Rights Act, navigating the Private Rented Sector whilst owning a pet proved a significant challenge for renters.   Over half of UK households own at least one pet, but often renters were faced with a blanket ‘no pets allowed’ clause within their tenancy agreement that Landlords were entitled to enforce without justification.  To put this into perspective, in 2020, only 7% of private Landlords advertised their properties as being ‘pet friendly’ (www.gov.uk). 

However, the implementation of the Renters’ Rights Act on 1 May 2026 has significantly changed the position on pets in rented accommodation. 

Although tenants still do not have an automatic and immediate right to keep a pet in the property, they do now hold a legal right to request permission (whether the request is for a hamster or a dog!) which Landlords cannot unreasonably refuse.

So, what is the process to requesting permission to have a pet in rented homes?

1. Firstly, a written request must be provided to the Landlord. This should include a detailed description of the pet i.e. its species, breed, size and its spatial requirements (whether it would have the run of the house or be kept in an enclosure).  Providing a brief summary of the animal’s temperament or training record is also recommended to assist the Landlord in making a decision.
2. The Landlord would then have a timeframe of 28 days to respond.  If further information is required for the Landlord to make an informed decision, this should be requested from the Tenant. In the event that the Tenant fails to provide the requested information, the Landlord does not need to consider the request.  However, upon receipt of the further information, Landlords will have the remainder of the 28 days or an additional 7 days to respond (whichever is later).  
3. If a Landlord refuses a request, it must be in writing with reasons given justifying the refusal.

As a Landlord’s consent cannot be unreasonably withheld, simple declarations such as ‘I don’t like dogs’ would not be sufficient.

Further, general concerns regarding potential damage to as well as wear and tear of the property would not constitute as valid reasons to withhold consent. To mitigate this risk, full inventories should be taken at check in, and regular routine inspections should be mutually agreed upon between the Tenant and the Landlord or managing agent.

While the standard rental deposit acts as a financial safety net for Landlords for damage and general wear and tear, Landlords cannot request, or take, a separate additional deposit from tenants specifically in relation to a pet.    Landlords will also want to consider the availability of its insurance that could cover damage caused by pets but will have to build that cost into the advertised rent as you Landlords are not able to add it as a direct cost to the Tenant. The advertised rent, however, must not exceed market value.

If a Landlord has a valid reason as to why they will not provide consent, it must be confirmed to the Tenant in writing, however, each request is considered in a case by case basis. There are very limited grounds that justify a blanket ban, for example: 

• if the Landlord’s own lease contains a covenant prohibiting pets (although this is likely to be mostly limited to apartments); or
• if another Tenant has a relevant allergy – but this is likely to be mostly limited to multi-occupancy properties and HMOs.

It is worth noting that consent is animal specific. If a Tenant later decides that their furry friend needs a companion, the prior consent granted does not automatically transfer to the second, or third, or fourth pet!

If you have any questions regarding the contents of this article, or you would like to speak to a member of our team, you can contact us here.

Disclaimer: General Information Provided Only

Please note that the contents of this article are intended solely for general information purposes and should not be considered as legal advice. We cannot be held responsible for any loss resulting from actions or inactions taken based on this article.