You found the perfect flat. Then the landlord asks, "Any pets?" You mention your cat, and the viewing ends moments later.
The law changed on 1 May 2026. The Renters' Rights Act 2025 now gives renters in England the right to request a pet, and landlords cannot unreasonably refuse. One honest caveat before we start. The right belongs to tenants, so a landlord choosing between applicants can still pick someone without a pet. Once you have the tenancy, the new rules apply.
How to request a pet from your landlord
You need to make a written request to your landlord, specifically describing the pet you want to keep. An email counts. A text does too, but put it in writing.
Your landlord then has 28 days to respond in writing. They can say yes, say yes with conditions, or say no with reasons.
If they don't respond within 28 days, they are in breach of the law. That doesn't grant consent automatically, but the right to keep a pet with consent is now a term of your tenancy, so an unreasonable refusal or silence is a breach you can enforce through the county court. The Private Rented Sector Landlord Ombudsman, which will eventually offer a free complaints route, has not launched yet and is not expected until around 2028.
This is true whether you're starting a new tenancy or already living somewhere. You can request a pet at any point.
What counts as a "reasonable" refusal to a pet?
Landlords can still say no, but they need a proper reason. A blanket "no pets" policy is no longer enough.
Reasonable grounds for refusal might include:
- The property is genuinely unsuitable (a Great Dane in a studio flat, for instance)
- A superior lease on the building prohibits animals
- The landlord applied to the freeholder for permission and was refused
"I don't like dogs" or "pets cause damage" on their own are not reasonable grounds. The test is whether a reasonable person would consider the refusal fair given the specific property and the specific animal.
Can my landlord require pet insurance?
Landlords cannot require you to buy pet insurance, and charging for it would breach the Tenant Fees Act 2019.
Your landlord's protection is the tenancy deposit, which can be used to cover any damage beyond fair wear and tear at the end of the tenancy. Worn carpet after three years of a cat living there? Likely wear and tear. Scratched doors or stained flooring? That's deposit territory.
Already have a pet without permission?
The Renters' Rights Act does not create an amnesty for pets your landlord never agreed to. If you have a cat your landlord doesn't know about, you're technically still in breach of your tenancy agreement until you make a formal request under the new rules.
In practice, though, you can submit a written request today. If your landlord can't articulate a reasonable ground to refuse, they must say yes. And with Section 21 abolished since 1 May 2026, they can't evict you without a legitimate reason. Retaliatory eviction for requesting a pet is not one.
If you're in this situation, make your written request now. Get ahead of it rather than waiting for a complaint.
What about assistance dogs or emotional support animals?
If you have a trained assistance dog (from organisations like Guide Dogs, Hearing Dogs, Canine Partners, or others accredited by Assistance Dogs UK), you are already protected under the Equality Act 2010.
"Emotional support animals" are a different story. The UK has no legal framework for ESAs equivalent to the US system. Certificates purchased online claiming to register an emotional support animal have zero legal standing in England and Wales. Under the Renters' Rights Act, an ESA is treated like any other pet. You request consent, and the landlord must not unreasonably refuse.
What if your landlord says no to a pet unfairly?
If you believe the refusal is unreasonable, ask your landlord in writing to explain their reasons. Because pet consent is a term of your tenancy, an unreasonable refusal is a breach you can take to the county court. The Private Rented Sector Landlord Ombudsman will eventually handle complaints like this for free, but it is not expected to launch until around 2028.
If you're renting with a pet or want to get one, put your request in writing and keep a copy. Give your landlord the 28 days. If they refuse without good reason, or don't respond at all, you have rights.
If your landlord charges you a "pet fee," that is a prohibited payment under the Tenant Fees Act 2019, and you can recover it through the First-tier Tribunal at no cost. If they go as far as forcing you out for keeping a pet, illegal eviction is a criminal offence and can lead to a rent repayment order of up to 2 years' rent.
If your landlord has refused a pet request and you're not sure their reasons hold up, Remedy can review the response and help you put your challenge in writing.
