Landlords slow to allow pets as Renters’ Rights Act approaches

Landlords across England are still reluctant to advertise homes as pet friendly, even as the Renters’ Rights Act gets closer, research reveals.

According to Inventory Base, just 8.2% of rental properties are currently marketed as welcoming pets.

The inspection and compliance technology firm says that represents an annual rise of 0.6% since January 2025.

Landlords must prepare

The firm’s operations director, Sián Hemming-Metcalfe, said: “Despite the Renters’ Rights Act significantly strengthening tenants’ ability to keep pets, this data shows that landlords are yet to meaningfully adapt, with pet-friendly listings increasing only marginally.

“This suggests many are either taking a wait-and-see approach or haven’t fully prepared for the changes ahead.

“As the Act makes it harder to refuse pet requests or regain possession where pets are kept, landlords now need to prepare for the fact that more and more tenants are going to be pet owners.”

She added: “As such, landlords must start focusing on protecting themselves against any financial costs this could possibly create.”

Among the solutions is for landlords to have accurate inventories to prove pet damage and carry out regular inspections.

Pet-friendly listings

Regional data shows the North East has the highest share of pet-friendly listings at 11.5%.

In the South West, pets are allowed in 9.1% of advertised homes.

London sits slightly above the national average with 8.8%, followed by the South East at 8.6% and the North West at 8.5%.

However, the East Midlands remains the least accommodating region with 5.6% of listings there allowing pets.

Dealing with pet requests

The findings come as the Renters’ Rights Act is set to reshape how landlords deal with pet requests.

From 1 May, tenants in the private rented sector will gain a legal right to ask permission to keep a pet.

This right will be implied in all tenancy agreements, even where contracts are silent on the issue.

Landlords will no longer be able to issue blanket refusals or decline requests without justification.

Any rejection must be reasonable and set out in writing, with examples including insufficient space for a large animal.

Section 21 and pets

Tenants will need to submit requests in writing, describing the pet they wish to keep, while landlords will have 28 days to respond.

The Act also removes Section 21 evictions, making it more difficult to regain possession where a tenant is keeping a pet without consent.

Landlords will need clear evidence that an animal has been kept at the property, which may be challenging in practice.

Where damage has occurred, eviction may still be pursued under grounds 13 or 15, which relate to deterioration of the property or its contents.

However, landlords will not be allowed to charge higher rent or additional fees specifically because a tenant has a pet.