What does that mean in practice? That’s not entirely clear as the Renters’ Rights Act comes into force and it’s something that animal charities are keeping a close eye on as the new legislation arrives.
Research from Animal Friends Pet Insurance found 37% of renters say they have had to live apart from a pet before the Renters’ Rights Act.
With greater rights to keep a pet, 58% of renters separated from their pet say they will apply to bring them home while two-thirds of tenants plan to apply to keep a pet under the new rules.
Meanwhile, just under half of renters hope to adopt from a rescue or rehoming centre.
Ben Pryce, chief operating officer at Animal Friends, said: “Pet love and parenting is in our DNA at Animal Friends. Many of us are pet parents, which means we understand the joy a pet brings, but also the heartbreak that can come when owners are unable to live with them. By supporting pet parents every day, we see first-hand how renting restrictions have pushed families into impossible decisions, from delaying ownership to giving up much‑loved pets.
“That’s why this change in the law matters so much to us. As a business championing animal welfare and responsible pet ownership for 25 years, we wanted to shine a light on the real experiences of renters and help them feel informed and prepared. Giving people the right to ask is an important step, but ensuring pets can move into rented homes safely, responsibly, and for life is what we’re on hand to help with.”
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Renting with pets in England
As of 1 May 2026, the Renters’ Rights Act will give tenants the right to request a pet. Landlords would have to consider the request within 28 days and wouldn’t be allowed to “unreasonably” refuse.
The new law will only apply to in-situ tenants rather than new tenants, so it’s worth bearing in mind when shopping around for a new rented home.
Many pet-friendly charities, including Battersea and Dogs Trust, have hailed the move after campaigning for years to give private renters greater rights to keep a pet.
Owen Sharp, chief executive of Dogs Trust, said the new laws are a “massive step forward”.
“These new pet-friendly renters’ rights mean that the benefits of pet ownership are no longer exclusive to homeowners, something we have been campaigning on for many years. It is a game-changer for pet-loving tenants,” he said as the long-awaited Renters’ Rights Act finally became law.
Measures to force tenants to take out pet insurance or to pay an additional deposit to keep a pet were refused after being introduced to the Renters’ Rights Act in the House of Lords.
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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.
Any pet clause added as an additional term in the contract allows the tent to request permission to keep a pet and the landlord is not allowed to unreasonably refuse.
The Renting Homes (Wales) Act 2016 came into force in 2022 and later that year the Senedd voted to ban ‘no pet’ clauses in tenancy agreements but this is yet to be escalated into practice.
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 Housing (Scotland) Act 2025 will allow tenants to make a request to their landlord. The landlord must respond within 30 days and cannot “unreasonably refuse”.
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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.
Common reasons for landlords refusing pets
Despite the growing demand for pet-friendly rentals and new laws, 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.
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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.
And under the new law, landlords will be more likely to accept a pet.
What can I do if my landlord refuses my pets?
If your landlord refuses to allow pets, don’t despair.
The Renters’ Rights Act is setting up a new ombudsman specifically for the private rented sector to allow landlords and tenants to solve disputes.
But there are other steps you can take to try and change their mind.
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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 has previously been challenging, but not impossible.
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Many prospective tenants have had 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.”
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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.
Do you have a story to tell or opinions to share about this? Get in touch and tell us more.
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