Practical Advice
What You Need To Know
Analysis, guidance, and real-world experience focused on renting with pets in the UK.
The UK Referencing Process Just Got Tougher for Tenants With Pets
The Property Is Only Half the Battle. A lot of tenants think the hard part is finding a pet-friendly property. The real challenge now is what happens after you agree to take the property. The referencing process in the UK has become far stricter, particularly for tenants with pets, self-employed applicants, overseas relocators, and anyone ...
Why Good Landlords Should Not Overlook Tenants With Pets
A lot of landlords are worried right now. The Renters’ Rights Act 2026 has changed the mood across the UK rental market. Whether people agree with the legislation or not, many landlords now feel that once a tenant moves in, it could become far harder, slower and more expensive to deal with problems if things go ...
The Big Mistake Many Pet Owners Are About to Make
What I like to offer is practical advice based on years of experience. I listen to many estate agents talking absolute ‘rubbish’, especially when it comes to pets and their interpretation of the new laws. It is difficult for tenants with pets to know what and what not to believe. That is why I have ...
Loopholes Landlords May Use When Tenants Ask for Pets
The Renters Rights Act recently became law and landlords anticipated that by increasing rents in advance. So subtly that most tenants would not notice. List the property at a higher price by a small increment. So what kind of loopholes are we talking about? I was an estate agent, am a landlord and the Founder ...
Why I Don’t Rate the Renters’ Rights Act for Landlords (Especially With Pets)
According to a recent poll some 44% of landlords and 64% of tenants say they are not confident about what will actually change now that the Renters Rights Act is in force. Those figures don’t exactly inspire one with confidence. In my opinion, the laws have not been thought through clearly. Speaking to a large ...
Are You a Pet Ready Landlord?
There’s a lot of noise right now about tenants asking for pets. But here’s the better question: Are landlords actually ready to deal with it? With the Renters Rights Act shifting expectations, “no pets” is no longer the easy default. And that’s where many landlords are getting caught out. Because This Isn’t Just About Saying ...
As A Landlord Do I Have To Now Allow Pets?
The short answer is no. You don’t automatically have to allow pets. But under the Renters’ Rights Act, you can’t ‘unreasonably refuse’ them either. And that’s where things get… interesting. What Does “Unreasonably Refuse” Actually Mean? We are talking about tenants who are already renting in your properties as well as those offer making offers. ...
Renting With Multiple Cats: The Reality
Trying to rent a property with one cat, especially a house cat, is fine. Two or more cats? That’s where things can get tricky. In today’s competitive UK rental market, even strong tenants can hit a wall the moment they mention multiple cats. Because for landlord’s multiple cats ‘means’ scratched curtains and carpets as well ...
Thinking About Getting a Pet? Don’t Just Ask. Prepare.
If you’re already renting and thinking about getting a pet, the good news is you’re in a stronger position than most applicants. Why? Because your landlord already knows you. You’ve paid the rent on time. You’ve looked after the property. You’ve caused no issues. As Founder of Pets Lets, I see this all the time. ...
Pets, Property and Mental Health: It’s All Connected
Let’s be honest, this isn’t really about property. It’s about how people feel in their home. It doesn’t matter whether they own or are renting. From years of working with tenants (and being a landlord myself), one thing stands out: Pet-friendly homes are almost always happier homes. Not perfect. Not spotless. But happier. Calmer. More ...
The Pet Request Is Coming: How Landlords Respond Matters
Come 1st May, many of your tenants will be asking you to have a pet in the property. I am not just writing this as the Founder of Pets Lets. I am also writing this as a landlord. I look at tenants on a case by case basis. I like to use Open Rent as I ...
Buying a Property With a Pet? It’s Not as Simple as You Think
There’s a common assumption out there: “If I buy a property, I can do what I want, including having a pet.” Sounds logical. It’s also wrong. And in some cases, a very expensive mistake. Ownership Doesn’t Always Mean Control, unless it is a freehold property. In the UK, many flats are leasehold or share of ...
Anyone can talk about “tips” for renting with pets. But what actually works?
At Pets Lets, we’re in the middle of this every day, negotiating with agents, handling tricky landlords, and getting deals over the line that most people would never get close to. Especially if there are a few pets. Coming from an estate agency background, I understand how it works. I do sympathise with tenants, especially ...
Hiding a Pet in a Rental Property? Just Don’t. Here’s Why.
Let’s be honest, it happens. You find a decent property. It says “no pets.” You’ve got a dog, cat, or both. You think… “We’ll just keep it quiet.” I’ve had clients ask me and I have flatly said no. You need a pets clause in a tenancy agreement and all it takes is for someone ...
Why Estate Agents Batch Viewings (Especially Saturdays). And How to Stand Out as a Tenant
If you’ve tried renting recently, you’ve probably noticed the pattern. You enquire midweek and there is silence. Then suddenly, “Viewings this Saturday between 10am–1pm.” Or they are only showing between certain times, normally in the evening. And guess what, you have a work meeting or event at that time and your partner is unavailable too. ...
Why Estate Agents Don’t Respond to Property Enquiries. And What You Can Do
If you’ve been enquiring about rental properties and hearing nothing back, you’re not alone. It’s one of the biggest frustrations in the UK rental market right now. Especially difficult if you are relocating to the UK with or without pets and in particular from another country with time differences. At Pets Lets we work a ...
Red Flags Tenants Should Spot Before Signing a Tenancy Agreement
Finding a rental in today’s market is hard enough. So when you finally get an offer accepted, the temptation is to just sign and move on. That’s exactly where people get caught out. Because not all landlords or tenancy agreements are created equal. And if you’ve got a pet? The margin for error is even ...
Are Pet Fees Disappearing in Build-to-Rent or Just Being Hidden?
If you’ve been looking at Build-to-Rent (BTR) properties recently, you might have noticed something. Pet fees are starting to disappear and at first glance, that sounds like a win. But like most things in the UK property market, it’s not quite that simple. Traditionally, BTR schemes were very clear: – Pets allowed but with a ...
The £125k Rental Rule: A Hidden Catch for Tenants Under the Renters’ Rights Act
Let’s keep this simple. If you rent long-term in the same property, especially in London, there’s a little-known rule that might apply to you. Once your total rent over time goes above £125,000, you may need to file paperwork with HMRC. In some cases, you might also pay a small amount of tax. Most tenants ...
Why You Must Have a Pets Clause in Your Tenancy Agreement
If you’re renting with a pet, this is one of the most important things to get right and one of the most overlooked. Some agents can say it’s fine, the landlord has said yes to your dog. Basically, they probably can’t be ‘bothered’ to change the tenancy agreement and get it agreed again with the ...
The Power of a Pet CV: Why It Can Win You a Rental
In today’s rental market, having a pet can feel like a disadvantage. But it doesn’t have to be. A Pet CV is one of the simplest and most effective ways to turn a “maybe” into a “yes.” I know, I have done it for clients may times. It’s about how you position your pets What ...
Landlords: Times Have Changed. And Pets Aren’t Going Anywhere
Let’s be honest. This isn’t a ‘trend’, pets are here to stay. They are part of the family and research has proven they are good for people’s mental health. You would not move home without your ‘furry friends’. Pets are now part of everyday life in the UK. Around 50% of households own a pet. ...
Renters’ Rights Act and Pets. What It Really Means for Renting with Pets in the UK
Renters’ Rights Act and Pets. What It Really Means for Renting with Pets in the UK There’s a lot of noise around the Renters’ Rights Act and pets. You’ll hear things like “Landlords won’t be able to refuse pets anymore”. Sounds great. But here’s the reality. Renting with pets is not about to become easy ...
Why Renting Is a “Dog Eat Dog” Market. And How Tenants With Pets Can Still Win
Let’s be honest the rental market right now is a bit dog eat dog. And yes, pun fully intended. But behind the humour is a reality most tenants don’t fully see. Estate agents don’t get paid for effort. They get paid when a deal completes. Which means one thing. They prioritise the tenants most likely ...
Can’t Find a Pet Friendly Rental? Try Renting Unsold Properties Instead
If you’re struggling to find a pet friendly rental, you’re not alone. Low stock. High demand. And once you add a dog (or two… or a cat), your options shrink even further. But here’s a strategy most tenants never consider. Look at properties that aren’t selling. Because behind every unsold property is a seller (and ...
Head Leases and No Pets Clauses: What the Renters’ Rights Act Really Means for Tenants
One of the biggest misconceptions around the Renters’ Rights Act and renting with pets in the UK is that landlords will have to allow pets. Full stop. That simply isn’t true. After May 1st 2026, many tenants searching for pet-friendly properties to rent will assume they can request, or even demand permission to keep a ...
