Renting with pets
How to find a pet friendly home
Dogs Trust has advice on:
Looking for a pet friendly home
Ask friends and family members if they know any pet friendly landlords.
Your local council might:
help you find a new home
tell you about a service in your area that could help
If you see a property advertised as 'no pets'
Ask the agent or the landlord why.
They might not know that landlords need a good reason to say no, or there might be a mistake in the property description.
But they might have a good reason, including:
the building has a 'no pets' policy
the property is too small for a pet
it is a shared house and other tenants are allergic to pets
Each case is different. The landlord or agent must think about your situation before deciding.
Talk to the landlord or agent
The landlord or agent might change their mind if you tell them that the law has changed.
Tell them that tenants can ask for permission to have a pet and landlords can only refuse for a good reason.
You could also say that you:
want to rent long term
are a responsible pet owner
have a good reference from your previous landlord
Your landlord could give you a notice to leave if they find out you have a pet after you move in.
Use our letter template to email the landlord or agent
Copy this template into an email to the agent or landlord.
You can change it to add the details of your pet. Delete anything that you do not need.
To [landlord or agent name]
I've seen a property you've advertised: [the property address]
The description says that no pets are allowed. I would like to know why no pets are allowed at this property.
The law has recently changed. Even if you rent the property to someone without pets, they could ask you for permission to have one as soon as they move in. You could not refuse without a good reason.
I already have a pet. I am a reliable tenant and a responsible pet owner.
My pet's name is [your pet's name].
[Your pet's name] is:
[your pet's type and breed]
fully house trained
quiet and calm indoors
I would like to view the property.
I would look after the property and pay rent on time. I have good references from previous landlords.
Please tell me if you have other properties if this one has been let.
I am happy to answer any questions.
My contact number is [your phone number].
I look forward to hearing from you.
[Your name]
Word template: Ask about a 'no pets' policy (docx 18kb)
OpenDocument template: Ask about a 'no pets' policy (odt 11kb)
If the landlord says you can have a pet
Get any agreement in writing, for example in an email, letter, or as part of your tenancy agreement.
Ask for photos and videos that show the property condition before you and your pet move in.
If the landlord says you have to pay more rent
Landlords and agents can only charge the rent that the property is advertised at.
They cannot ask for or accept more than:
the advertised rent
5 weeks' rent as your tenancy deposit
up to 1 month's rent in advance
They can only ask for rent in advance if you sign the tenancy agreement before moving in.
You can tell your council if your landlord keeps asking for more rent, tenancy deposit or rent in advance.
Last updated: 1 May 2026
