## Low Uptake of Pet-Friendly Properties Despite Upcoming Legislation

Landlords across England remain cautious about advertising rental homes as pet friendly, with only 8.2% of properties currently marketed as such, according to inspection and compliance technology provider Inventory Base. This figure represents a modest annual increase of just 0.6% since January 2025, indicating that many landlords have yet to adjust their approach ahead of the Renters’ Rights Act.

The Act, which comes into effect on 1 May, will grant tenants in the private rented sector a legal right to request permission to keep pets. This right will be implied in all tenancy agreements, even if the contracts do not explicitly mention pets. Consequently, landlords will no longer be able to issue blanket refusals or reject pet requests without reasonable justification.

## Preparing for Changes in Tenant Pet Rights

Sián Hemming-Metcalfe, Operations Director at Inventory Base, commented on the slow uptake of pet-friendly listings: “Despite the Renters’ Rights Act significantly strengthening tenants’ ability to keep pets, this data shows that landlords are yet to meaningfully adapt, with pet-friendly listings increasing only marginally. This suggests many are either taking a wait-and-see approach or haven’t fully prepared for the changes ahead.”

She emphasised the importance for landlords to prepare for a rise in tenants who own pets, stating, “As the Act makes it harder to refuse pet requests or regain possession where pets are kept, landlords now need to prepare for the fact that more and more tenants are going to be pet owners.” Hemming-Metcalfe also advised landlords to focus on protecting themselves against potential financial costs related to pet ownership, recommending accurate inventories and regular inspections as key tools.

## Regional Variations in Pet-Friendly Listings

The proportion of pet-friendly rental properties varies across England. The North East leads with 11.5% of listings allowing pets, followed by the South West at 9.1%. London slightly exceeds the national average with 8.8%, while the South East and North West have 8.6% and 8.5% respectively. The East Midlands remains the least pet accommodating region, with only 5.6% of listings permitting pets.

## How Landlords Must Handle Pet Requests Under the New Act

From 1 May, tenants will have the right to submit written requests to keep pets, describing the animal they wish to keep. Landlords will have 28 days to respond, and any refusal must be reasonable and provided in writing. Examples of reasonable grounds for refusal include insufficient space for a large animal.

The Act also removes the use of Section 21 eviction notices, making it more difficult for landlords to regain possession if a tenant keeps a pet without consent. Landlords will need clear evidence that a pet has been kept at the property to pursue eviction, which may prove challenging. However, eviction may still be possible under grounds 13 or 15, which relate to damage or deterioration of the property or its contents.

Importantly, landlords will not be permitted to charge higher rent or additional fees solely because a tenant has a pet.

## What This Means for Landlords

Landlords should review their tenancy agreements and property management practices to ensure compliance with the Renters’ Rights Act. Accurate and detailed inventories will be essential to document any pet-related damage, and regular property inspections can help identify issues early. Landlords should also prepare clear policies for handling pet requests and refusals, ensuring that any decisions are reasonable and properly documented.

By proactively adapting to these changes, landlords can better manage the risks associated with pet ownership while meeting the evolving rights of tenants in the private rented sector.

Suggested internal link anchors

– Renters’ Rights Act
– pet friendly rental properties
– tenancy agreements
– property inspections
– landlord responsibilities
– Section 21 eviction
– tenant pet requests
– rental property damage
– private rented sector
– landlord compliance

TLA update

TLA is launching a new Trusted Partners Hub in Q1 2026, featuring verified and approved service providers selected to support landlords, tenants, and property management businesses. We are inviting legal, trades, insurance, financial, mortgage, tenant screening, and other service providers to register their interest here: https://landlordassociation.org.uk/become-a-tla-service-partner/