What does the Renters’ Rights Bill really mean for pet owners?

The Renters’ Rights Bill, bringing in big changes to private renting in England and Wales, is set to become law after passing its final stage in the House of Commons. If you are a renter and a pet owner, you will know that it includes new protections, offering owners more power to request permission to keep their pets in rented homes. And that has got to be good news.

Let’s face it, pet ownership is not a niche lifestyle choice anymore. It’s part of everyday British life. From city flats to countryside cottages, pets are part of the family for well over half of UK households.

That’s millions of people - and millions of animals - who rely on rented homes that can actually accommodate them. It’s only fair that the law catches up with how we really live. And let’s not forget: the UK pet industry is worth around £8 billion* and it is growing. From vets and groomers to pet food brands, sitters, trainers, and daycares, this is an ecosystem that supports jobs, innovation, and community life.

When landlords welcome responsible pet owners, they are not just being kind – they are aligning with a powerful and positive economic reality. Because pets don’t just bring joy to their owners; they bring value, stability, and connection to our neighbourhoods too.

As a pet loving marketing agency (our landlord lets us bring in our dogs – thanks Will and Dave!), we think it’s a conversation that is long overdue.

What’s changing under the Renters’ Rights Bill?

Among several major reforms, the Bill introduces a new right for tenants to request permission to keep a pet - and landlords must now consider each request fairly. The new rules may not signal a free pass to bring a Great Dane into your studio flat - but they are a big step forward in balancing fairness for animal-loving renters.

Here is the top line

Tenants will now have the right to ask their landlord for permission to keep a pet and under the new rules, landlords must reply in writing (usually within 28 days). They can’t simply ignore or reject - and blanket ‘no pets’ clauses will no longer be automatically enforceable. Landlords can still refuse requests, but only for what’s deemed as ‘reasonable’ grounds, such as unsuitable property type, lease restrictions, or risk of damage. Responsible ownership obviously still matters and tenants must still ensure their pets don’t cause damage or nuisance.

In short, if you’re renting and want to keep a pet, the new legislation would give you more leverage. The default is no longer ‘no pets,’ it is now ‘ask and get a fair reasonable answer’.

How to enforce your rights as a renter

Let’s say I am a renter with a dog called Margot (I actually do have a dog called Margot). Margot is friendly, house-trained, and doesn’t chew stuff. I’ve heard about the new Renters’ Rights Bill, so what do I do?

The first step is to check my existing tenancy agreement. Somewhere in the fine print, there will be a line about pets. It may be a flat ‘no,’ or maybe says ‘pets allowed with consent.’ Either way, this is the place to start.

Next, it’s time to make a request in writing, keeping it polite and professional and avoiding any legal jargon or pleading at this stage. Explain who your pet co-habitor would be (breed, size, temperament), how you intend to care for them, and what steps you’ll take to keep your home clean and undamaged. Think of it like introducing your landlord to a very well-behaved partner or flatmate. Attaching a short ‘pet CV’ isn’t a bad idea either. It shows responsibility and builds trust before the landlord has too much time to over worry about scratched floors or barking at Amazon deliveries.

Once you have sent your request, keep a record. Save your email or letter and mark the date. Under the new Bill, landlords usually have 28 days to reply, so if you don’t hear back, that silence could work in your favour later. If the answer does come back negative, don’t panic – just ask for written reasons.

Landlords now have to explain why they won’t allow pets and if it is deemed unreasonable (‘I just hate cats’ won’t cut it), you’ll be able to challenge it through the upcoming Private Rented Sector Ombudsman.  Without stating the very obvious, the best way to keep your rights strong at this stage, is to be the kind of tenant every landlord wants. Stay responsible. Keep noise to a minimum, tidy up, and report any issues before they escalate. A spotless track record will be your strongest argument.

What if you’re moving?

If you’re house-hunting, you might still come across listings with ‘no pets’ in bold. That’s frustrating - especially as we all know human children are often as likely to inflict domestic damage! If this is the case, be upfront from the start. Mention your pet in your application, explain how the new law protects fair consideration, and include that pet CV early on. Showing you understand both your rights and your responsibilities is going to help your case.

*Dogster 2025

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