Many tenants now move in with pets, whether a dog, cat, or another animal. Over half of UK households have a pet, so this is becoming increasingly common.
For landlords, though, it can be a bit of a dilemma. You want to be accommodating, but you may also be worried about scratched floors, chewed furniture, and lingering odours that are hard to get rid of.
With the Renters’ Rights Act set to give more backing to tenants with pets, chances are you’ll be seeing this more often. Understanding your position now makes it easier to manage requests fairly and avoid disputes down the line.
- Can landlords refuse pets in 2025?
- What can a landlord do if a tenant keeps a pet without permission?
- What’s the law around renting to tenants with assistance animals?
- Will the Renters’ Rights Act force landlords to accept pets?
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Can landlords refuse pets in 2025?
Yes, landlords can still refuse pets, but blanket bans are discouraged. You can include a clear ‘no pets’ clause in the tenancy agreement to keep a property pet-free. Exceptions may apply for assistance animals, such as guide dogs.
Since 2021, the government updated the Model Tenancy Agreement to assume consent for pets unless a ‘no pets’ clause is explicitly included.
Tenants should request permission in writing before bringing a pet, and landlords are expected to respond within a reasonable timeframe, typically 28 days. You cannot “unreasonably withhold or delay” consent, and you should approve requests if the tenant is a responsible pet owner and the pet is suitable for the property.
Landlords also cannot charge extra non-refundable pet fees, nor increase the security deposit beyond the legal cap of five weeks’ rent to cover pet-related damage. Moreover, clauses that are overly restrictive could be challenged under the Consumer Rights Act 2015 as unfair.
As an OpenRent landlord, you can choose whether or not to allow pets by selecting or deselecting the ‘Pets Allowed’ option under the ‘Tenant Preferences’ section when creating your advert. In 2024, more than a quarter of our listings were marked as ‘Pets Allowed.’
To make things even simpler, our Assured Shorthold Tenancy (AST) agreements come with a built-in clause requiring tenants to get your written permission before bringing a pet into the property, helping you stay in control and avoid any unwanted surprises.
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What can a landlord do if a tenant keeps a pet without permission?
If a pet is causing problems for other residents or damaging your property, you might be able to evict the tenant with a Section 8 notice. You’ll need to be ready to show evidence of how the pet is affecting neighbours or causing damage to the property.
For tailored advice on your situation and assistance with serving notices, don’t hesitate to reach out to one of our partner legal experts. Unfortunately, there’s not much else that can easily be done to remove the pet without evicting the tenants.
If the pet causes damage, you can claim for repairs from the deposit at the end of the tenancy. Alternatively, you might need to take legal action after the tenancy ends to cover any repair costs.
If your tenants are paying rent on time, causing no issues, and inspections show no problems, evicting them might not be the best approach. It’s always a good idea to talk things over with your tenants and try to find a solution before taking the matter to court.
What’s the law around renting to tenants with assistance dogs?
If your tenancy agreement includes a ‘no pets’ clause, tenants can still ask you to change it to allow an assistance animal, like a guide dog for someone visually impaired.
In such cases, you must agree to make this change if your tenant is disabled and needs the assistance animal to live comfortably in the property.
This is known as making a ‘reasonable adjustment’. Refusing to allow an assistance animal could be seen as discriminatory and might lead to legal issues.
However, in some situations, you might be able to refuse a reasonable adjustment if you have a valid reason, such as health and safety concerns.
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Will the Renters’ Rights Act force landlords to accept pets?
From 1st May 2026, the Renters’ Rights Act is set to make it easier for tenants to ask their landlord for permission to keep a pet. Under the new rules, landlords won’t be able to say no unless they have a good reason, like a restriction in their superior lease.
This right will not apply to applicants looking to rent your property; it will only apply to tenants. This means that you will still be able to indicate whether pets are allowed or not in your property and room listings.
If a tenant does ask to have a pet, landlords will have 28 days to reply with their decision. If you refuse, tenants can challenge it either by complaining to the private rented sector ombudsman or by taking you to court.
As the ombudsman’s service is free, it may be the preferred option for many tenants. However, both landlords and tenants will have an equal opportunity to present evidence and make their case.
Will landlords be permitted to take a pet deposit?
No, the Renters’ Rights Act will not permit landlords to charge a separate pet deposit. This was debated heavily towards the final stages of the bill in Parliament, with the government maintaining that the standard tenancy deposit under the Tenant Fees Act 2019 provides enough protection for landlords.
