Pets in private rented accommodation

From 1 May 2026, a private assured tenant can ask their landlord for permission to keep a pet at the property.[1] A tenant must make their request in writing.[2]

A tenant's request must include a description of the pet.[3] For example, the breed, age or size of the pet.

The landlord must not unreasonably refuse permission and must usually respond within 28 days.

Which tenancies the rules apply to

The right to ask permission to keep a pet is an implied term in all private assured tenancy agreements. This means all private assured tenants have this right even if this is not explicitly stated in their tenancy agreement.

Other tenants, such as local authority secure and housing association tenants can ask for permission to keep a pet, but there are no rules over how the landlord should respond. This means that the landlord does not have to respond in a set format or time frame and can refuse without giving a good reason.

When the tenancy has not started

The rules about the process to ask to keep a pet do not apply before someone becomes a tenant. This means the landlord does not have to respond in a set format or time frame.

A person who already has a pet and is looking for rented accommodation can use a template letter to ask their landlord's permission to keep a pet. Download a template letter.

A pet is an animal kept by a person for:[4]

• personal interest

• companionship

• ornamental purposes

• any combination of these

The tenant has to ask permission for the pet to live in the property, even if the pet belongs to someone else.

Assistance animals

The rules for assistance animals are different to the rules for pets.

Assistance animals, such as guide dogs, are legally recognised in the Equality Act 2010. A landlord who does not allow a tenant to keep an assistance animal might be in breach of the Equality Act.

Find out more about rental discrimination.

Emotional support animals

Emotional support animals are not legally recognised in the UK. The rules for pets also apply to emotional support animals.

A landlord must respond to a tenant's request:[5]

• in writing

• within 28 days of the tenant's request

The landlord cannot ask the tenant to pay more rent or pay a higher deposit because they have a pet. If a landlord takes a higher deposit, this is a banned fee and the tenant or local authority can take enforcement action.[6]

Find out more about tenancy fees.

When a landlord has more time to respond

The landlord can request more information about the pet within 28 days from the tenant's request. When the landlord requests more information, they have an extra 7 days to issue their response. The 7 days starts from when the tenant provides further information. [7]

For example, if a tenant makes a request on 7 April, the landlord has until 5 May to reply. If the landlord asks for more information on 1 May and the tenant provides it on 2 May, the landlord must respond by 8 May.

The landlord can take more time to respond if the tenant agrees.

When a landlord needs consent from a superior landlord

A landlord can take extra time to respond if both:

• they have an agreement with a superior landlord

• they need the superior landlord's consent for a pet to live at the property

The landlord must request consent from the superior landlord on or before 28 days from the tenant's request. The landlord can delay their response to the tenant until 7 days after the superior landlord's response.

A landlord's refusal must be reasonable.[8]

Examples of when a landlord's refusal might be reasonable could include:[9]

• the landlord or other tenants in a shared house are allergic to animals

• the property is too small for a large pet or several pets

• the pet is illegal to own

When a landlord's refusal might be unreasonable

A landlord's refusal will normally be unreasonable if it is because the landlord:[10]

• does not like pets

• has had issues with tenants who had pets in the past

• has had previous tenants with pets who damaged the property

• has general concerns about potential damage in the future

• thinks a pet might affect future rentals

• knows the tenant needs an assistance animal, such as a guide dog

Refusal where there is a superior landlord

A landlord's refusal might be reasonable where allowing the pet in the property would cause the landlord to breach an agreement with a superior landlord.[11] For example, if the tenant's landlord owns a leasehold flat and their agreement with the freeholder of the building prohibits pets.

A landlord's refusal might also be reasonable where an agreement between the landlord and a superior landlord prohibits keeping a pet at the property without the superior landlord's consent and:

• the landlord has taken reasonable steps to get the superior landlord's agreement

• the superior landlord has not given consent

A tenant can challenge their landlord's refusal for permission for a pet.

If a landlord refuses consent unreasonably, a tenant can apply to court for an order for specific performance.[12]

A tenant cannot get legal aid help to apply to court.

If a pet causes damage to a property, the tenant should report any issues to their landlord.

The landlord is not responsible for repairing damage caused by the tenant failing to use the property in a tenant like manner.

A landlord can take deductions from the tenancy deposit for damage caused by a pet.

A landlord could start possession proceedings against the tenant if the property has been damaged. For example, the landlord might be able to use:

• ground 13 for deterioration in the condition of the property

• ground 15 for deterioration of furniture

Find out more about assured tenancy discretionary grounds.