Pets in rented property: your right to request
Direct answer
Before May 2026, landlords could include blanket 'no pets' clauses with no right of challenge. The Renters' Rights Act 2025 changed that. Tenants now have a statutory right to request a pet.
The Renters' Rights Act 2025 introduces a right for assured tenants in England to make a written request to keep a pet. The landlord must consider the request and respond in writing within a statutory time limit. A refusal must be on reasonable grounds.
This is legal information, not legal advice. If your landlord refuses unreasonably, contact Shelter on 0808 800 4444 or your local Citizens Advice.
The new statutory right
The Renters' Rights Act 2025 introduces a right for assured tenants in England to make a written request to keep a pet. The landlord must consider the request and respond in writing within the statutory time limit set by commencement regulations. A refusal must be on reasonable grounds, and the test is fact-specific - sweeping 'no pets' policies, blanket prohibitions in tenancy agreements, and bare assertions are not reasonable refusals.
How to make a pet request
Make the request in writing, by email or letter, and keep a dated copy - the landlord's clock starts from the date of receipt.
- The species and breed of the pet (a Labrador Retriever rather than just 'a dog')
- The age of the pet and any relevant medical or behavioural background
- Whether the pet has lived in rental accommodation before, with any references
- Whether you intend to take out pet insurance covering damage to the property
- The proposed start date for the pet to move in
Reasonable vs unreasonable refusals
A refusal is likely reasonable where the landlord can point to a superior lease that prohibits pets with documentary evidence, a property unsuitable for the specific animal, allergy or medical issues affecting other occupants of a shared building, or specific safety concerns. A refusal is unlikely to be reasonable where it amounts to bare assertions or blanket bans.
- 'I just don't allow pets' with no further reason
- Generic concern about damage where pet insurance is offered
- A blanket 'no pets' clause in the tenancy agreement
- Assumed nuisance with no concrete evidence
Pet insurance and damage
The landlord can require you to take out and maintain pet insurance covering damage to the property, can include a term making you liable for any pet damage, and can deduct from the deposit where damage is proved (subject to scheme adjudication). What they cannot do is impose an extra pet deposit beyond the statutory deposit cap of 5 weeks' rent under the Tenant Fees Act 2019. Pet insurance is paid by the tenant directly to the insurer and is not part of the deposit.
What if the landlord refuses unreasonably?
Ask in writing for the specific reasons - a vague refusal weakens the landlord's position. Once the new Private Rented Sector Ombudsman is operational, tenants will be able to complain there for free, and it can determine whether a refusal was reasonable and order the landlord to allow the pet. In the meantime, the practical route is a written request, a written follow-up if refused, and advice from Shelter or Citizens Advice. The landlord cannot lawfully retaliate by serving a notice for an unreasonable pet refusal.
Free checkers
- Renters' Rights Act 2026 complete guide
All the major reforms in one place: Section 21, periodic tenancies, rent rules, pets, repairs. - Pet refusal Q&A
Direct-answer Q&A for what to do when a landlord refuses a written pet request.
Related guidance inside this topic
- If your next step turns on the post-1 May 2026 reform framework, read Section 21 validity guides.
- For the dates, forms, and evidence behind the post-1 May 2026 reform framework, see Section 21 checker before you respond.
- If this issue overlaps with the post-1 May 2026 reform framework, check rent rise checker to compare the legal tests.
- For a fuller breakdown of the post-1 May 2026 reform framework, use what happens after Section 21 ended for the underlying rule set.
- If you need the route-specific rules on the post-1 May 2026 reform framework, start with rent increase rules guide so you can check the dates and documents against your own case.
Related articles
- Tenant rights in England: complete guide
The main overview page linking eviction, repairs, deposit protection, rent increases, and illegal eviction rights together. - Old rules vs new rules after May 2026
The side-by-side transition guide for Section 21, Section 8, rent increases, and periodic tenancies after 1 May 2026. - Renters' Rights Act 2026: complete guide
The main reform guide covering Section 21 abolition, Section 8, rent increases, pets, and private rented sector enforcement changes. - What replaces Section 21?
Section 21 has been replaced by Section 8 under the Renters' Rights Act 2025. Landlords must now prove a legal ground to evict. - What happens if you do not leave after Section 21?
Plain-English guide to what a Section 21 notice means, what happens after expiry, court, bailiffs, and when to act.
Common questions
- Can a landlord still refuse a pet outright?
- Only on reasonable grounds. The Renters' Rights Act 2025 requires landlords to consider each request and refuse only where there is a genuine practical reason. Blanket 'no pets' refusals without justification are no longer enforceable.
- Can a landlord charge a pet deposit?
- No additional deposit beyond the statutory cap. The Tenant Fees Act 2019 limits deposits to 5 weeks' rent. The landlord can require pet insurance covering damage, which is paid by the tenant separately.
- Can I keep an assistance dog?
- Yes. Assistance dogs are protected under the Equality Act 2010, refusing accommodation to a disabled person who needs an assistance dog is disability discrimination.
Use the interactive checker on getrentersrights.com for the full step-by-step result.