If you’re looking to rent a property through a letting agent, it might be the case that they have listed the property as no pets but that the landlord will allow them if asked.
Renting with pets in England
In England, the default position is that landlords can prohibit pets. Many standard tenancy agreements include a “no pets” clause and tenants must seek permission from their landlord, who can refuse or accept the request at their discretion.
Renting with pets in Wales
In Wales, tenancies are covered by the Welsh government’s Renting Homes legislation, which requires landlords and renters to use clear agreements detailing their rights and responsibilities. Any pets must be added as a term to this, with the agreement of both the landlord and tenant. Unlike England and Scotland, Wales does not cap rental deposits. So pet owners could use the option of paying a slightly higher deposit to reassure the landlord that any damage by pets will be covered.
Renting with pets in Scotland
Similarly, tenants in Scotland can have pets if their tenancy agreement doesn’t forbid it, or if their landlord gives them written permission to do so. The Scottish Government proposed rent reforms last year which would make it easier for tenants to have pets and require landlords give a good reason if they refuse.
Renting with pets in Northern Ireland
Landlords in Northern Ireland also often ban pets in their tenancy agreements. Tenants can negotiate with landlords, but there is no legal requirement for landlords to accept pets. The situation can vary, so it’s essential to review your tenancy agreement and discuss your needs with your landlord.
Again, service animals are generally an exception to this – they are not considered pets under UK-wide legislation. But landlords can still refuse if they can provide a good enough reason, and many people still struggle to find private rent homes that will accept them and their animal.
Renters’ Rights Bill
Keir Starmer’s Labour government unveiled the Renters’ Rights Bill in July, building on the Conservatives’ Renters Reform Bill since Westminster power changed hands.
Under the proposed legislation, tenants would have the right to request a pet. Landlords would have to consider fairly and wouldn’t be allowed to refuse on unreasonable grounds. They would be able to require insurance to cover potential damage from pets, though.
Common reasons for landlords refusing pets
Despite the growing demand for pet-friendly rentals, many landlords are still hesitant to rent to people with animals. Understanding their concerns could help you address them effectively.
Pets can cause damage to rental properties: scratched floors, chewed furniture and dirty carpets are common worries. Landlords might be concerned that pets will decrease the property’s value or lead to costly repairs. And the reality is that, in a broken housing market, there isn’t usually a shortage of demand for homes – so landlords can decide to rent to someone else who doesn’t have pets without much difficulty.
Some landlords refuse pets due to potential allergies or health issues that future tenants might have. They also commonly cite noise nuisance issues. Pets, especially dogs, can sometimes be noisy, leading to complaints from neighbours and other tenants.
Allowing pets can affect a landlord’s insurance premiums or liability. Some insurance policies have restrictions or charge higher rates for properties with pets.
But remember – there are plenty of good reasons for a landlord to allow pets, too. Tenants with pets generally stay in a rented home longer than tenants without, according to a report commissioned by animal welfare charity Battersea earlier this year. Around half of tenants with pets stay in their rented homes for more than three years, compared to just 31% of renters without pets.
What can I do if my landlord refuses my pets?
If your landlord refuses to allow pets, don’t despair. There are steps you can take to try and change their mind.
Start by negotiating with your landlord. Explain why having a pet is important to you and offer to meet any reasonable conditions they might set. This could include providing references from previous landlords or agreeing to extra inspections.
Presenting what’s known as a pet CV detailing your pet’s behaviour, training, and health can help. Include references from previous landlords or neighbours who can vouch for your pet’s good behaviour. This can help reassure your landlord that your pet won’t cause problems.
If you can afford to, you might consider offering to pay a higher security deposit. This shows your landlord that you are serious about maintaining the property and are willing to take financial responsibility for any damage.
It’s often worth seeking legal advice to understand your rights, especially if you have a service animal. In some cases, landlords might be required to accommodate pets under disability rights laws.
Even if your tenancy agreement doesn’t explicitly forbid pets, it’s a good idea to get your landlord’s agreement in writing first. Don’t sneak a pet into the property without permission and try to hide it from them – this could result in fines or eviction, and make it tricky to get a reference for renting your next home.
How to find a pet-friendly rental
Finding a pet-friendly rental can be challenging, but it’s not impossible. Many prospective tenants have success using websites and apps specifically for pet-friendly rentals. Sites like Zoopla, Rightmove, and OpenRent often have filters that allow you to search for properties that allow pets, though this can prove tricky due to the number of letting agents which list all homes as pet-free by default. Dedicated platforms like Pets Lets are also worth exploring.
Ask friends, family, or local pet groups for recommendations. Word of mouth can sometimes lead you to landlords who are open to renting to pet owners. That could involve real estate agents too – they often have insider knowledge about landlords who are more easy-going about renting with pets.
Dogs Trust has been providing advice and resources to pet owners, landlords and letting agencies alike for more than a decade through its Lets with Pets scheme.
The charity also recently launched a pet-friendly housing pilot in collaboration with Manor Estates, a Scottish housing association. Its aim is to boost the pet-friendliness of Manor estates’ accommodation and make a positive impact on tenants, regardless of whether they have pets or not. It’s being watched as a model for systemic change which could improve the lives of pet owners in social housing across the country.
“The joy of pet ownership shouldn’t be exclusive to homeowners, but open to private and social renters as well,” Owen Sharp, chief executive of Dogs Trust told the Big Issue. “For too long, people living in rented accommodation have not been able to enjoy the benefits and companionship of a pet just because of the type of housing they live in.
“We’re receiving hundreds of calls each week from desperate owners forced to rehome their dogs due to a lack of pet friendly accommodation.”
Tips for renting with pets
Once you’ve found a pet-friendly rental, it helps to present yourself and your pet in the best possible light to win over your landlord.
- Create a pet CV: This can include details about your pet’s breed, age, behaviour, training and health. Include references from previous landlords, neighbours, or even your vet.
- Deposit: Offer a higher security deposit to cover any potential damages caused by your pet
- Rental clauses: Propose specific clauses in the tenancy agreement that address pet-related concerns. You could agree to regular cleaning, for example, or noise control measures. pet waste management, or noise control measures.
- Stay in touch: Keeping a line of open and honest communication with your landlord is important. Address any concerns they might have upfront and provide regular updates on how you are managing your pet.
You might also consider getting pet insurance that covers liability in case your pet causes damage or injury, which can provide an extra layer of security for both you and your landlord.
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