Can landlords refuse pets in a rented property?

While it’s not illegal for landlords to include a ‘no pets’ clause in their tenancy agreements, the law can be unclear and as a renter with pets to care for it’s not easy to know what your legal rights are.

But this is going to change. In May 2026, the roll-out of the Renters’ Rights ActOpens in a new window begins and this will mean expanded rights for tenants, including those with pets in England.

The new Renters’ Rights Act aims to deliver safer, fairer and higher quality homes for tenants. It includes new rules for ‘pets in lets’, making it easier for you to find a place to live by increasing the number of pet-friendly homes and includes some good news for pet owners.

• Landlords will no longer be able to issue a blanket ban on tenants living with animals. Under the new rules, tenants will have the right to ask the landlord for permission to live with pets at the property.

• The landlord must consider your request to live with pets and cannot “unreasonably” refuse. If they do say ‘no’, you can challenge their decision

• A landlord must reply to your request within 28 days in writing. This can be extended by a week if a landlord asks for further information. 

The Renters’ Rights Act became law on 27 October 2025, but the new rules will apply from 1 May 2026. 

Visit GOV.UK to read more in the Guide to the Renters’ Rights ActOpens in a new window 

Landlords have many reasons for not allowing pets in their properties.

The most common are:

• Wear and tear to the property – a 2022 report by industry trade bodiesOpens in a new window Propertymark and the National Residential Landlords Association (NRLA) found that 85.3% of landlords have had their property damaged by pets and most (57%) were unable to recoup the cost.
• The cost of insurance due to add-ons for pet damage – the same report discovered that only 0.5% of landlords were able to claim the cost of pet damage through insurance.
• The pet is not suitable for the property. For example, a dog is too large for the home or you have too many pets.
• Pets causing a nuisance for neighbours.
• Irresponsible owners who fail to clean up after their pet.
• Infestation from pests such as fleas and ticks.
• If the property is a leasehold, then the freeholder might forbid pets in their agreement with your landlord.

Until the Renters’ Rights Act is enforced from May 2026, landlords can ban you from keeping pets at their property. If you want to keep a pet, you must have your landlord’s written permission to do so.

You should also be aware of the Model Tenancy AgreementOpens in a new window (MTA), the government’s recommended contract for landlords that exists to help renters with well-behaved pets. However, it’s not a legal requirement and it’s your landlord’s decision whether they use it. The MTA says consent for pets is the default position, and landlords have to object in writing within 28 days of a written pet request from a tenant and provide a good reason. 

The new Renters’ Rights Act says landlords will be required to fully consider all requests to keep pets at their property and can only refuse if it’s “reasonable”. But what does this mean? 

Sometimes it’s reasonable for a landlord to refuse a request to keep a pet at their property, such as when:

• the property is too small for a large pet,
• another tenant has a pet allergy, or
• in leasehold properties, the freeholder might have introduced a ‘no pets’ clause, preventing anyone who lives there - a buyer or a renter - from keeping a pet in the property.

So what is your next step if your landlord doesn’t allow you to have a pet, and you don’t think the reason behind the decision is fair?

If you feel that your landlord has unreasonably refused your request, you can contact the Private Rented Sector Ombudsman or take the case to court.

The Ombudsman or court will make the final decision based on the evidence provided by you and your landlord.

Finding a home for you and your pets means looking in the right places. Many of us search for a property online and websites allow visitors to filter search results by “pets allowed”.

If you find a place you like, you should speak to the landlord or letting agent. If you’re a responsible pet owner and are looking for a home or are already living at the property and want to own a pet, you should put any request in writing.

Getting the go ahead to keep a pet in the home you rent is exciting, but there are some things you should do to make sure you keep as much of your deposit as possible.

It’s important to clean up after your pet, and do what you can to keep your pet quiet when your neighbours are sleeping.

When it comes to renewing your tenancy, if your landlord has a lot of complaints about your pet they could give this as a reason for no longer allowing pets.

If your pet does damage the property, it’s best to tell your landlord and arrange a repair before you move out of the property to avoid expensive deposit charges at the end of the tenancy.

You need your landlord’s permission to live with pets in a rented home, and you should always put your request in writing. It can be helpful to make all contact with your landlord via email or letter, so you have a record of what’s been said.

With more than half of us in the UK owning pets, your landlord might be an animal lover and understand how important your pet is to you. It’s worth asking them to see if you can reach an agreement.