There’s no getting away from it: finding a good rental property can be difficult. Finding one when you have a pet can be even harder.
We hear regularly from tenants that there is “nothing available” or that the choice of pet-friendly properties is incredibly limited.
And sometimes they’re absolutely right.
But there’s another side to the story.
Limited stock – but long wish lists
Speak to landlords and letting agents and you’ll sometimes hear a slightly different version of events.
A perfectly decent property comes onto the market, pets are considered, the rent is within budget – yet tenants decide against it because the kitchen isn’t quite right, the second bedroom is a little small, the garden faces the wrong direction or it’s a few streets away from their preferred location.
None of those things are unreasonable.
If you’re spending a significant amount on rent, of course you want somewhere you’ll be happy living.
But when you add a pet into the equation, it’s worth remembering that your pool of suitable properties may already be smaller.
Add another five or six non-negotiables and suddenly that pool can become a puddle.
Decide what really matters
Before starting a property search, separate your requirements into two categories: must-haves and nice-to-haves.
If you have a large dog, access to outside space or a nearby park might genuinely be essential.
A particular colour kitchen probably isn’t.
If you have an indoor cat, a secure property may matter far more than being exactly five minutes from your favourite coffee shop.
There will always be things you shouldn’t compromise on. The trick is knowing what they are before you start viewing.
Look at the property through your pet’s eyes too
Pet owners also need to think differently about what makes a property suitable.
That ground-floor flat slightly further from the station might have direct garden access and a landlord who is genuinely comfortable with dogs.
The beautiful apartment in your perfect location might be in a building where the head lease doesn’t allow pets at all.
Which one is really the better property?
The answer isn’t always the one with the better photographs.
Landlords are choosing too
There’s another reality of a competitive rental market that tenants sometimes overlook: you are choosing a property, but the landlord may also be choosing between several tenants.
A tenant with a pet who appears organised, flexible and ready to proceed can put themselves in a much stronger position.
Have your financial information ready. Be upfront about your pet. Prepare a good Pet CV https://www.sayyestopets.co.uk/pet-cv . And if you find somewhere that ticks the important boxes, be prepared to move quickly.
Spending another three weeks looking for something marginally better can mean losing a perfectly good property.
Compromise works both ways
This isn’t about letting landlords off the hook.
We’d like to see far more landlords genuinely consider responsible pet owners rather than automatically saying no. But tenants need to be realistic too.
The perfect property, perfect location, perfect price, perfect garden and a landlord delighted to accept your two dogs may exist.
The question is whether you can find it before somebody else does.
Sometimes successful renting with pets isn’t about finding the perfect property.
It’s about recognising the right one when you see it.
Already Found a Property?
If you’ve found the property but are worried about affordability, referencing or whether your application is as strong as it could be, don’t leave it to chance.
Our Rental Approval Service is designed for tenants who have already found a property and want to maximise their chances of securing it.
We’ll review your application, identify potential issues before they’re flagged by the referencing company, strengthen your affordability position where possible, and support you through negotiations with the letting agent or landlord if required.
In today’s competitive rental market, a stronger application can make all the difference.
Call to Action
If you’re planning to rent in the UK with a pet, start the right way.
The Rent Ready Service (With Pets) gives you the clarity, strategy, and confidence to compete in today’s market, before you lose time, money, or opportunities.
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
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