Several landlord template providers continue to incorrectly state the deadline for responding to tenant pet requests under the Renters’ Rights Act 2025, despite the legislation being in force for several months. This ongoing error risks landlords inadvertently breaching the law by relying on outdated guidance that extends the response window to 42 days rather than the statutory 28 days. Given the legal consequences of missing this deadline, it is essential for landlords and letting agents to verify the accuracy of their compliance documents and adjust their procedures accordingly.
Clarifying the statutory deadline for pet requests
The Renters’ Rights Act 2025 introduced new requirements for landlords regarding tenant pet requests, specifically inserting sections 16A and 16B into the Housing Act 1988. Section 16B mandates that landlords must provide a written response to a tenant’s pet request within 28 days of receipt. This timeframe is firm and non-negotiable, with no grace period allowed.
Landlords may request additional information from tenants, which can extend the response deadline by up to seven days from the date the information is received, making the absolute maximum response period 35 days—but only in this specific circumstance. Failure to respond within the 28-day window results in the request being automatically approved by default, effectively granting tenants permission to keep pets without landlord consent.
Why the 42-day figure is incorrect and its implications
Despite clear legislative wording and consistent guidance from housing authorities, some landlord template providers and published guides continue to cite a 42-day response period. This figure likely originates from earlier drafts of the Bill, which initially proposed a longer deadline before being amended prior to Royal Assent. Unfortunately, this outdated information remains embedded in some widely used templates and advice materials.
Relying on a 42-day deadline can have serious consequences. If a landlord responds after 28 days but within the incorrectly assumed 42-day period, the tenant’s request will have been deemed granted by law. Any refusal issued at this point would be legally ineffective, potentially exposing landlords to disputes and compliance risks. This is not a minor discrepancy but a critical legal deadline that directly affects landlords’ rights and obligations.
Current state of landlord template guidance
A recent review of tenancy agreement templates and guidance documents reveals that at least one prominent UK provider still references the incorrect 42-day deadline in active, customer-facing materials. This is not limited to archived content but affects documents landlords may be purchasing and using in their day-to-day management.
While this is likely an unintentional oversight stemming from earlier legislative drafts, it highlights the importance of regularly reviewing and updating compliance resources. Landlords who assume their templates are fully compliant without cross-checking against the final Act risk being misled and non-compliant.
Practical steps for landlords who have used incorrect templates
Landlords who have issued pet request responses based on a 42-day deadline should immediately verify the date the tenant’s request was received and calculate the correct 28-day response window. If the 28-day period has already passed, the request is likely deemed granted, and any refusal issued after this point may not be legally valid.
In cases where the 28-day deadline has not yet elapsed, landlords should respond promptly rather than waiting until the 42nd day. Moving forward, landlords and agents should adjust their internal procedures to diarise responses around day 25 to ensure compliance and allow a buffer for processing.
What this means for landlords
Landlords should be aware that relying on outdated or incorrect guidance regarding pet request deadlines can lead to unintended breaches of the Renters’ Rights Act 2025. The statutory 28-day response period is strict, and missing it results in automatic approval of the tenant’s request. This means landlords may lose the ability to refuse a pet request simply due to delayed communication.
It is essential for landlords and letting agents to review their current templates and guidance materials to confirm they reflect the correct legal deadlines. Where discrepancies are found, landlords should update their processes immediately to avoid compliance issues and potential disputes with tenants.
What TLA members should consider
- Review all tenancy and pet request templates to ensure the response deadline is correctly stated as 28 days, with an optional 7-day extension only if additional information is requested.
- Implement internal reminders or diary alerts to prompt responses before day 28, ideally around day 25, to provide a compliance buffer.
- Verify any third-party template providers or compliance guides used are up to date with the final Renters’ Rights Act 2025 provisions.
- Educate letting agents and property managers within your organisation about the strict statutory deadlines and the consequences of missing them.
- Consider consulting legal or compliance professionals if uncertain about the correct procedures or if a pet request response deadline has been missed.
- Keep abreast of updates from trusted industry sources, including TLA resources and official government guidance, to maintain ongoing compliance.
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