If a tenant wants a pet to live with them
Source: gov.uk (2025-11-13)

This guide covers what a landlord needs to do when their tenant asks to keep a pet.

The Renters’ Rights Act will change laws about renting and this guidance has been published to help private rented sector landlords and letting agents prepare. The new rules will apply on or after 1 May 2026

Your tenants will need to ask you in writing if they want to keep a pet. They’ll need to include a description of the pet they wish to keep in their request.

If your tenant keeps a pet without your permission, they may be breaking the terms of the tenancy agreement.

If your tenant requests to keep a pet, you will not be able to refuse without a fair reason. You’ll need to consider each request on a case by case basis.

Once your tenant has asked for a pet, you will have 28 days to respond in writing. If you do not respond within 28 days, they will be able to apply to the court.

The court may enforce the rules if they believe you’re not meeting your obligations as a landlord.

You will be able to ask for more information about the pet from your tenant if needed. For example, you will be able to ask about the type or size of the pet.

You will have 7 days to respond to your tenant once they have given you any additional information you ask for.

Example

Your tenant asks if they can have a dog. You will have 28 days to respond to them.

You’d like more information about the size of the dog and whether it is house trained, so you ask the tenant within the 28 days.

They reply and tell you it’s a small dog that is trained.

You then have either the remainder of the original 28 days or an extra 7 days to respond with your final decision, whichever is later.

You will need to respond to your tenant to confirm whether you provide or refuse your consent unless they do not give you the additional information that you ask for.

If you’re a leaseholder, you may need to ask for permission from your freeholder. You will need to check the terms of your lease.

If you agree to your tenant having a pet, you will not be able to change your mind later. The tenant having the pet you have agreed to will not be considered a breach of the tenancy agreement. If a tenant wants another pet, they will have to ask for your consent again.

When you can refuse a request for a pet

It may be reasonable to refuse a request in some circumstances, such as:

another tenant has an allergy

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

the pet is illegal to own

if you’re a leaseholder, and your freeholder does not allow pets

It will not usually be reasonable to refuse if you:

do not like pets

have had issues with tenants who had pets in the past

have had previous tenants with pets who damaged the property

have general concerns about potential damage in the future

think a pet might affect future rentals

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

If you refuse a request for a pet, you will need to respond to your tenant in writing. You will need to explain why you are refusing the request.

Your tenant will have the right to challenge the refusal if they believe it is unreasonable. They will be able to submit a complaint to you or apply to the court to start court proceedings against you.

Damage from pets

You will be able to choose to keep money from the deposit to cover repair costs caused by pet damage.

You will not be able to claim for the same damage twice. For example, from insurance and the deposit. You may be committing fraud if you do so.

If you’re concerned about a pet at the property

You will need to speak to your tenant first to try and resolve any issues with their pet. You will also be able to:
- read the antisocial behaviour guidance (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/renting-out-your-property-guidance-for-landlords-and-letting-agents/dealing-with-antisocial-behaviour) if your tenant’s pet is causing a nuisance or annoyance
If you are concerned about the welfare of your tenant’s pet you can contact:

the RSPCA (https://www.rspca.org.uk/reportaconcern)

your local council

the police

You can contact us using this form (https://submitanenquiry.communities.gov.uk/start-now) if you have any questions. If there is a technical problem with the page, you can report it at the bottom of this page.