The Renters’ Rights Act will bring changes to the private rental sector, and pets are one of the biggest areas affected.
You might have concerns about the risks of allowing pets in your property. But research shows that when it’s done responsibly, supporting tenants to keep pets can benefit landlords as well as renters. And with more people than ever looking for pet-friendly homes, it’s a good time to think about opening your doors to cats and dogs.
Here’s what the new law means for you.
What the Renters’ Rights Act means for landlords and pets
The Renters’ Rights Act has been agreed by Parliament but is not expected to come into effect until early 2026.
When it does, tenants will gain the right to make a written request to keep a pet in their home. Landlords will not be able to unreasonably refuse these requests. The government will publish guidance to clarify what will count as reasonable or unreasonable grounds for refusal.
Here’s how the process will work once the law is in place:
- Tenants living in your property can make a written request to keep a pet in the home.
- You will need to review the request within 28 days.
- Each request should be considered individually.
- You can ask for more information about the pet, but once you have that information, you have to respond within 7 days.
- If you refuse the request, you will need to explain your reasons in writing.
- Tenants will have the right to challenge a refusal and appeal it through the Housing Ombudsman.
This change moves the UK away from the traditional ‘no pets’ approach and closer to countries like Germany, where pets in rented homes are more widely supported.
The right to request a pet only applies once a tenant is already in the property, not before they move in. But some landlords might choose to advertise as pet friendly from the outset – pet-friendly homes are in high demand, and research shows that allowing pets can bring benefits for landlords as well as tenants.
What are the benefits?
Allowing pets can make life easier for both landlords and tenants.
Tenants with pets often stay longer in their properties, creating more stable tenancies. This usually means fewer tenancy gaps, less hassle with tenancy changes, and lower costs for finding new tenants.
Supporting tenants to keep pets has been shown to build stronger, more positive relationships between landlords and tenants.
For many tenants, having a dog or cat is what makes a property feel like a true home – and they’re more likely to treat it that way.
Managing the risks of pets in your property
Many landlords worry about damage to their property or complaints from neighbours if they allow pets. These are understandable concerns, and they are among the most common reasons landlords give for not accepting dogs or cats.
Peer-reviewed research commissioned by Battersea and carried out with the universities of Huddersfield, Sheffield Hallam and Brunel found that these risks are often smaller than expected:
- Nearly 80% of landlords reported no pet-related damage at the end of a tenancy.
- Where damage did occur, the average cost was £300, compared with an average of £775 for non-pet-related damage.
- The vast majority of landlords who rented to pet owners said they had no complaints from neighbours about noise.
Some landlords also choose to manage any remaining risk by arranging extra insurance or by asking tenants to take out pet insurance themselves.
You can read more on our research on pets in rental properties.
Making your property more pet-friendly
Many problems around pets in rented homes stem from a lack of communication between landlords and tenants. Setting expectations from the start can make things much easier for both sides.
As a landlord, you could:
- Be clear in listings if you are open to tenants with pets.
- Capture an inventory at the start of the tenancy, so there’s a shared record of the property’s condition.
- Agree house rules with tenants, such as where litter trays will be placed or how pets will be supervised in gardens or communal spaces.
- Keep the conversation open – asking about the pet’s age, breed, or routine can help you understand how best to support the tenancy.
What if my property is in Scotland or Wales?
In Scotland, the Scottish Housing Bill has just passed into law, which will give tenants in Scotland the right to request which cannot be unreasonably refused. Landlords will have 30 days to make a decision on whether or not to approve the request. More guidance will be published once the new law comes into force.
In Wales, renting is governed by the Welsh Government’s ‘Renting Homes’ system. Pets are classed as an ‘additional term’, meaning landlords and tenants need to agree together if pets are allowed.
