FAQs - Request to have a pet
What is changing with the introduction of the Renters' Rights Act?
The Renters' Rights Act 2025 changes the rules for pets in private rented housing in England.
From 1 May 2026, a tenant has the right to request to keep a pet, and their landlord cannot unreasonably refuse.
The rules won't apply to someone who is not yet a tenant. Someone who is looking for rented accommodation can still make a request to keep a pet when they move in, but the rules about how the landlord must respond won't apply.
How do I request the right to have a pet?
Tenants must make the request in writing and include a description of the pet. The landlord will most likely give you an application form to complete to enable them to fully consider your request.
What should I consider before requesting to have a pet?
Will you be able to provide the right environment for a pet to thrive in? Dogs and cats can live between 10 and 20 years so it is important to consider whether you are able to provide that level of commitment. Having a pet can be very rewarding, from companionship to providing emotional support but there are challenges too. For example the financial burden can be high, the cost of food, providing the right veterinary care and the cost of pet sitting services should you be away.
Other things to consider: Are you living alone or with housemates? Do any of your housemates have allergies? How do they feel about having a pet?
What will my landlord take in to consideration when I request to have a pet?
The landlord has to balance the tenant’s right to request to keep a pet against the rights of other tenants present in the property.
Although landlords must treat each request on a case-by-case basis, it is likely that if other tenants didn’t want one a landlord could refuse on that basis, particularly if it is a room-only HMO. In this case the tenant only has a tenancy for an individual room, which is not likely to be considered enough space for a pet.
Each pet request needs to be considered on its own merits.
Landlords are likely to take different approaches but they are likely to have a form for a tenant to complete to gather as much information as possible when a request is made. They will want to know what type of animal is being requested, what breed and size it is, what training it has had, if it is up to date on vaccinations and whether it has been chipped. Establishing the welfare of the animal will be important in any decision made. Asking how the tenant will be looking after the animal is relevant, as if a dog were to be left alone all day for example, it may create more noise and damage than if someone was at home with it. That said some dogs are quite capable of being left alone for several hours if trained well, so the information gathering is key here. In student HMO properties it is unlikely that most dogs would be permitted.
What is the timescale for my landlord to give a decision?
From 1 May 2026, landlords should not unreasonably refuse permission when they respond to a request to keep a pet. Landlords can still refuse permission if they do so reasonably.
The landlord will normally have 28 days to respond to the request and must respond in writing. In some cases, the landlord will have more time to respond. This includes where the landlord has requested more information about the pet within the 28 day period. After this, the landlord has an extra 7 days to issue their response.
Do I need to take out additional insurance to cover for damage?
You do not need to take out additional insurance but you may want to consider doing so. A landlord can claim on your deposit for pet damage, as long as they have strong evidence showing the property condition at the outset of the tenancy, and at the end.
If the deposit alone doesn’t cover the damage, the landlord may make a separate claim in court to recover the money from the tenant.
What if my landlord refuses my request to have a pet?
You might want to challenge your landlord's refusal. In the first instance, you should try discussing the refusal with your landlord, try to negotiate or look for alternative accommodation.
In the future, you will be able to complain to the new Private Rented Sector Ombudsman about your landlord’s refusal, but the new Ombudsman won't be introduced at the same time as the new pet rules and other key changes come into force on 1 May 2026. The government has said that it intends to launch the Ombudsman service from late 2026.
If negotiation isn't possible, the tenant might be able to challenge a landlord’s unreasonable refusal by applying to court. When a court agrees that a landlord has unreasonably refused permission, the court has the power to order that the landlord allows the tenant permission to keep a pet. You won’t be able to get legal aid to make an application to court.