Your rights as a pet-owning renter
For years, renting with a pet in the UK meant hoping for a landlord who happened to be open to it. That has changed. The law now recognises that keeping a pet is a normal part of family life, and it puts the onus on landlords to consider a tenant's request properly rather than dismissing it out of hand.
That does not mean an automatic yes — but it does mean you have a genuine, enforceable right to ask, and to expect a reasoned, written answer. Knowing that going in changes how you approach the conversation.
What the Renters' Rights Act means for pets
Under the Renters' Rights Act, a landlord can no longer unreasonably refuse a tenant's request to keep a pet. The key points:
- You make your request in writing, and the landlord must respond within the set timeframe.
- A refusal has to be reasonable and specific to your circumstances — not a blanket ban.
- Landlords can require you to hold pet insurance to cover potential damage, in place of an extra deposit.
- Deposit caps under the Tenant Fees Act still apply — there is no separate "pet deposit".
In practice, the stronger and clearer your request, the harder it is to refuse reasonably — which is exactly where a good Pet CV comes in.
How to ask your landlord (and get a yes)
- Raise it early and in writing. Don't wait until after you've moved in. An upfront, written request is what the law now expects.
- Lead with reassurance. Landlords worry about damage, noise and hassle. Address those before they're raised.
- Make it easy to say yes. Hand over a tidy, professional profile of your pet rather than a one-line message.
- Offer proof. Vaccinations, references and insurance turn "trust me" into evidence.
What to prepare before you ask
Have these ready and your request will stand out from every other applicant:
- A clear, landlord-friendly profile of your pet — breed, age, temperament and daily routine.
- Proof your pet is vaccinated, microchipped, neutered and (for dogs) flea- and worm-treated.
- References from a previous landlord or letting agent confirming your pet caused no issues.
- A note on how you'll handle cleaning, wear and any damage — before you're asked.
- Confirmation you hold, or will hold, suitable tenancy insurance.
Put it all in one place — free
The Pet CV builder turns everything above into a clean, landlord-ready profile you can send with any application. It's free, takes a few minutes, and gives your landlord exactly the written request the law now expects them to consider.
Build your free Pet CVFrequently asked questions
Can a landlord refuse to let me keep a pet?
A landlord can still decline, but under the Renters' Rights Act they can no longer unreasonably refuse a tenant's request to keep a pet. They must consider each request on its merits and respond in writing within a set timeframe. A blanket 'no pets' policy is no longer enough on its own.
What counts as a reasonable refusal?
Reasonableness depends on the property and the pet. A superior landlord's own ban on pets, or a genuinely unsuitable property (for example a small flat with no outside space for a large, active dog), may make a refusal reasonable. A vague concern about 'pets in general' usually will not.
Can my landlord ask me to pay a pet deposit?
Deposits remain capped by the Tenant Fees Act, so a landlord cannot add a separate pet deposit on top. Instead, the Renters' Rights Act allows landlords to require the tenant to hold pet insurance (or to recover the reasonable cost of such insurance) to cover potential damage.
How should I raise the subject of my pet?
Raise it early, in writing, and lead with reassurance. A short, professional Pet CV — covering your pet's temperament, vaccinations and references — makes it easy for a landlord to say yes, and gives them the written request the law now expects them to consider.
