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 to complain. No way to live looking over your shoulder. You never know when the landlord may inspect the property at 24 hours’ notice and you’ll have to hide all the pet ‘evidence’.
Some may say that a friend or relative visited with a dog. Landlords are suspicious by nature. However, some landlords will say no pets on the premise full stop, regardless of whether they are yours or not.
Strained tenant / landlord relationships tend to go in one direction. And that is rarely positive.
The Renters Rights Act does not give you ‘carte blanche’ to have a pet either. Landlords can still ‘unreasonably refuse’.
REALLY IMPORTANT: Buildings with No Pets Clauses still stand with the Renters Rights Bill. Sneak a pet in building with a no pets head lease and YOU WILL BE EVICTED. This has nothing to do with the landlord. They are over-ruled by the owners and managers of the building. The landlords are merely leaseholders, despite them owning the property. Double-check this before renting in a block.
I have come across estate agents and landlords who are unaware of the no pets clauses in the building as well as tenants renting with pets who have been ‘let down’ at the last minute because of this.
Short-term thinking. Long-term headache.
As someone who’s spent 30+ years in property (and now deals with this daily through Pets Lets), I can tell you straight:
Hiding a pet is one of the fastest ways to derail an otherwise good tenancy.
The Old World: Why It Was Always Risky
Even before the Renters’ Rights Act, sneaking in a pet was a gamble.
Here’s what you were risking:
– Breach of contract – Your tenancy agreement is legally binding
– Eviction – Section 21 or Section 8 could be used (not post Renters Rights Act)
– Loss of trust – And once that’s gone, everything becomes harder
– No protection if something goes wrong – damage, complaints, inspections
With Routine inspections. Neighbours complaining or lettings agents popping by as they manage the property. Just takes one person to notice the dog lead hanging up in the hallway or the dog bowl or squeaky toy.
The New World: “I Can Just Ask Later”… Post Renters Rights Act. Not Quite
With the Renters’ Rights Act (from 1 May 2026), there’s been a lot of noise around pets.
You’ve probably heard: “Landlords can’t unreasonably refuse pets anymore.”
True, but massively misunderstood by many estate agents and tenants.
Here’s the reality:
– The 28-day response rule applies to tenants already renting (in situ)
– Landlords still need valid reasons
– It does NOT mean automatic approval
– It doesn’t protect you if you’ve already broken the agreement
So if your plan is:
Move in → Hide the pet → Ask later. You’ve already weakened your position.
Why Hiding a Pet Can Backfire Even More Now
The new rules could make this worse and not better.
Landlords are becoming:
– More cautious
– More selective
– Focused on low-risk tenants
If they suspect dishonesty, your request later carries far less weight.
The Smarter Play (That Actually Works)
Be upfront from the start
Present your pet properly (Pet CV, references, etc.)
Target genuinely suitable properties
Work with agents, not against them
Final Thought
The tenants who succeed with pets aren’t the ones who sneak around. They’re the ones who show stability, present properly, and make it easy for landlords to say yes.
Need Help Getting Rent Ready (With Pets)?
If you are struggling with finding a pet friendly rentals, we do offer Rent Ready (With Pets) where we go through your requirements in detail and advise you what to do or where you are going wrong.
Having been in UK property for 30 years, I understand how it works, especially when it comes to renting in London and across the UK with cats and dogs.
About the Author – Russell Hunt
Pets Lets Expert Insight
This article was written by Russell Hunt, co-founder of Pets Lets, a specialist service helping tenants secure pet-friendly property to rent in London and across the UK.
With more than 30 years of experience in the London property market, Russell works with tenants, landlords and estate agents to make renting with pets possible in practice, not just in theory. His work focuses on helping pet owners present strong applications, prepare properly for competitive markets, and navigate landlord concerns around pets.
Through Pets Lets, Russell supports UK tenants with pets as well as educates landlords with UK properties on the benefits of dog friendly rentals and cat friendly rentals in London and across the UK.
Russell also runs the community “Relocating to the UK with Pets”, helping thousands of members understand the realities of travelling to the UK with pets.
Learn more about pet-friendly renting advice and services at Pets Lets
For further guidance on renting with pets, visit Dogs Trust’s Lets with Pets
