You may have heard that there’s a new law that will soon make it easier for tenants to get a pet. Most people expect that changes will come into effect in early 2026.
If you rent your home and would like to welcome a pet, here’s what the law means for you.
Jump to:
- What’s the law on having a pet in a rented flat or house?
- What do I need to consider before asking my landlord if I can have a pet?
- How do I ask my landlord if I can have a pet?
- How much can a pet deposit be?
- What if I live in a leasehold property?
- What if my landlord says no to a pet?
- What if I already have a pet and I’m looking for a new place to rent?
- Can I rehome a pet from Battersea if I rent?
- What if I live in Scotland or Wales?
What’s the law on having a pet in a rented flat or house?
Under the Renters’ Rights Act, tenants who currently rent a property will have the right to make a written request to keep a pet.
A landlord will not be able to unreasonably refuse this request. We’re still waiting for guidance from the government on what ‘reasonable’ means, but it will most likely mean that pets will have to be appropriate for the property. For example, it may be reasonable to allow a well-behaved dog in a house with a garden, but unreasonable to allow lots of cats in a flat with no outdoor space.
This new law only applies once a tenancy is in place. Landlords can still choose who they rent to, so they may decide not to let a property to someone who already has a pet.
What do I need to consider before asking my landlord if I can have a pet?
Before bringing a pet into your home, it’s important that you think it through first. Owning a pet is fun and rewarding, but it’s also a big responsibility. It takes patience and energy, and can be expensive.
You can use tools like the RSPCA Pet Cost Calculator to understand the likely costs.
It can also be difficult and expensive to find a new rental home that allows pets. If you move again in the future, you might find it harder to find somewhere that accepts animals. Sadly, this is one of the reasons some renters have to make the difficult decision to give up their pet – and it’s something we want to help change.
If you decide that now isn’t the right time, there are still lots of ways to have animals in your life. You could volunteer for an animal charity, foster a rescue animal, or spend time with friends’ and family members’ pets.
If you do decide to get a pet, do some research to check that it’s suitable for your home and lifestyle. You can use this research to show your landlord that you’re thinking responsibly about what’s right for their property. For example, you might consider how much noise a pet could make, or whether it needs outdoor space. This can be especially important if you live in a flat or in close proximity to other tenants.
How do I ask my landlord if I can have a pet?
Asking your landlord about getting a pet can feel daunting, especially if you don’t know them well or your living situation feels uncertain. But as a renter, you do have rights – and a say in what happens in the home you’re living in.
When you contact your landlord, it can help to be proactive and positive. You could:
- Explain what kind of pet you’d like and why it’s suitable for your home
- Offer reassurance, for example by agreeing to take out pet damage insurance or to professionally clean the property at the end of your tenancy
- Show that you understand the importance of training, socialising and caring for your pet - Battersea has lots of behavioural advice to help you.
Once you’ve made a pet request in writing, your landlord has 28 days to respond with a decision. They can ask for extra information in that time, but once you provide it, your landlord has to respond with a decision within 7 days.
If you can’t reach an agreement, the decision can be challenged and may be reviewed by the Housing Ombudsman.
Although the law changes have been agreed, the start date for these changes hasn’t yet been confirmed. Keep an eye on our website and update emails for more information about when changes will come into effect.
How much can a pet deposit be?
Your landlord might ask you to pay a higher deposit to allow you a pet. But it’s illegal for them to ask for more than the equivalent of six weeks’ rent in total.
This includes any deposit you’ve already paid, and your deposit must be held in a Tenancy Deposit Scheme.
What if I live in a leasehold property?
A leasehold is when someone owns the right to live in a property for a set time, while someone else (the freeholder) owns the building itself. Lease agreements sometimes include rules about pets.
The Renter’s Rights Act doesn’t override the terms of a lease agreement. If you’re a leaseholder, check your lease for any restrictions.
If your landlord is a leaseholder, they’ll need to check their own lease before giving you permission to keep a pet.
What if my landlord says no to a pet?
We don’t recommend getting a pet without your landlord’s permission. This would be a breach of your tenancy agreement and could lead to serious consequences, such as fees or eviction.
If your landlord refuses, it’s worth showing you’ve researched responsible pet ownership and taken steps to minimise any impact on their property, as well as showing you have an understanding of the new law.
What if I already have a pet and I’m looking for a new place to rent?
Unfortunately, the new law which bans landlords from unreasonably refusing a request to keep a pet only applies to tenants who are already renting a property.
That means if you’re a pet owner looking for a new home, landlords can still refuse to rent to you without giving a reason.
If you find a property you’d like to rent, you could approach the landlord directly rather than going through a letting agent. Our research has found that landlords are sometimes more open to pets than letting agents are.
It can help to reassure the landlord about your pet’s behaviour and any training they’ve had. References from a previous landlord, a vet or a behaviourist can also support your case.
We don’t recommend hiding that you have a pet, as this could lead to problems later in your tenancy.
We know how hard it can be to find a rental property as a pet owner. But we hope that the new law could create a culture in which landlords are more open to pets.
Can I rehome a pet from Battersea if I rent?
Yes. Battersea rehomes dogs and cats to people who rent, as long as you have your landlord’s permission, and your home and lifestyle are suitable for the animal’s needs. The same rehoming criteria applies to everyone.
What if I live in Scotland or Wales?
In Scotland, the Scottish Housing Act has now been passed. It gives tenants the right to ask to keep a pet, and landlords will not be able to unreasonably refuse. Landlords will have 30 days to make a decision once a request is made. Further guidance will be published when the new law comes into force.
In Wales, renting is governed by the Welsh Government’s ‘Renting Homes’ system. Pets are treated as an additional term that must be agreed between landlord and tenant. There’s no formal cap on deposits, but the standard is usually one month’s rent. You could discuss a small increase to cover pets, within reason.
