Tenant Pet Requests: What Landlords Must Do Under the New Rules

The New Right to Request Pets

Under the Renters' Rights Act 2025, tenants have a formal right to request permission to keep a pet in their rented home. This doesn't mean landlords must automatically agree — but you must follow a proper process.

The 28-Day Response Rule

When a tenant makes a pet request, you must respond in writing within 28 days. If you don't respond within this timeframe, the tenant may be deemed to have consent by default.

Your response must be one of the following:

• Consent — you agree to the pet, potentially with reasonable conditions
• Consent with conditions — for example, requiring the tenant to maintain pet insurance, keep the pet in certain areas, or agree to professional cleaning at tenancy end
• Refusal with reasons — you must provide specific, documented reasons for refusing

What Counts as a Reasonable Refusal

You can refuse a pet request, but the refusal must be reasonable. Examples of potentially reasonable grounds include:

• The property is too small for the type of pet requested (e.g. a large dog in a studio flat)
• The lease or freehold terms prohibit pets (e.g. in a leasehold flat where the head lease bans animals)
• The pet would pose a genuine health or safety risk to neighbours
• The property lacks appropriate outdoor space for the type of animal
• Insurance restrictions that genuinely prevent pet keeping

Blanket “no pets” policies without specific reasoning are unlikely to be considered reasonable. Each request should be assessed on its own merits based on the specific pet, property, and circumstances.

What Is Not a Reasonable Refusal

The following are unlikely to stand up as reasonable grounds:

• “I just don't want pets in my property” without specific reasoning
• Concerns about damage without considering the specific pet type
• A previous bad experience with a different tenant's pet
• Not wanting to deal with the administrative effort

Challenging Unreasonable Refusals

Tenants can challenge a refusal they consider unreasonable. Once the private rented sector Ombudsman is in place (expected later in 2026), tenants will be able to escalate pet request disputes through that route.

Until then, unreasonable refusals could be raised as evidence of poor management practice if any other dispute reaches tribunal.

Setting Conditions

If you consent to a pet, you can attach reasonable conditions. Common conditions include:

• The tenant must maintain appropriate pet insurance
• The tenant must ensure the pet does not cause nuisance to neighbours
• Professional carpet or upholstery cleaning at the end of the tenancy
• Keeping the pet out of specific areas (e.g. a shared garden)
• Limiting the number or type of pets

Document all conditions in writing. If the tenant later breaches the conditions, you have a clear record to rely on.

Record Keeping

For every pet request, keep records of:

• The tenant's original request (date received, what pet, any details provided)
• Your written response (date sent, decision, reasons if refused, conditions if approved)
• Evidence the tenant received your response (timestamped delivery proof)
• Any subsequent correspondence about the pet

If a dispute arises later — whether about the pet itself or in Section 8 proceedings — having a clear paper trail shows you followed the proper process.

Practical Tips

• Respond promptly. Don't wait until the 28th day. A quick, considered response demonstrates professionalism.
• Be specific. If refusing, explain exactly why this pet in this property is problematic. Generic refusals are weak.
• Consider alternatives. If a large dog is unsuitable, would a cat or small pet be acceptable? Showing flexibility strengthens your position.
• Check your insurance. Some landlord insurance policies have pet restrictions. If so, this is a legitimate factor in your decision — but check the actual policy terms rather than assuming.
• Check your lease. If you own a leasehold flat, check whether the head lease restricts pets. A genuine lease restriction is a strong basis for refusal.