Renters’ Rights Act sparks rise in pet ownership
2 months ago | 18 comments
Letting agents urged to take case-by-case approach to pets
12:01 AM, 2nd October 2026, 3 weeks ago
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An industry body has issued guidance to letting agents on renting with pets and recommends tenants provide a pet CV.
Propertymark has published guidance as the Renters’ Rights Act gives private renters the right to request a pet, with landlords and letting agents unable to refuse requests unreasonably.
The guidance comes as the government has said councils should allow pets in temporary accommodation where it is suitable to do so.
Tenants provide a pet CV
Propertymark points out that landlords reported average pet-related damage of £300 per tenancy. This compares with average non-pet-related damage of £775 reported by landlords who did not rent to pet owners.
Propertymark writes on its website: “Letting agents can help landlords consider the specific animal and home, rather than applying a blanket approach.
“We recommend checking whether the property has enough appropriate space, whether a lease or headlease limits pets, and whether there are any arrangements to consider in a house in multiple occupation. It is also important to understand the protections that apply to assistance animals.
“Tenants can provide useful reassurance through a pet CV. This may include the animal’s age, breed, behaviour, training and vaccinations, as well as references from a previous landlord or veterinary practitioner. A meeting between the landlord, tenant and pet can provide a practical opportunity to discuss care arrangements and expectations.”
Regular inspections
The industry body also recommends regular inspections once a pet has been agreed.
Propertymark says: “Clear written terms help everyone understand their responsibilities. These can cover permission for additional or visiting pets, avoiding nuisance to neighbours and the tenant’s responsibility for any damage.
“A detailed inventory, regular inspections and a check-out report can also help agents identify concerns early and deal with any deposit deductions fairly.
“Landlords can require a property to be returned to the same standard of cleanliness and condition as at the start of the tenancy, allowing for reasonable wear and tear, but cannot require a tenant to pay for professional cleaning or flea treatment.”
3 comments on this article
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Member Since May 2018 - Comments: 2586
10:12 AM, 2nd October 2026, About 3 weeks ago
For any landlord who does not know, it is a legal requirement to microchip dogs of 8 weeks and above and cats from age 20 weeks.
Member Since September 2018 - Comments: 3766 - Articles: 5
10:59 AM, 2nd October 2026, About 3 weeks ago
“Landlords can require a property to be returned to the same standard of cleanliness and condition as at the start of the tenancy, allowing for reasonable wear and tear, but cannot require a tenant to pay for professional cleaning or flea treatment.”
But you sure as hell can take it from the deposit if its jumping at the end of the tenancy! Small consolation I know.
Member Since May 2018 - Comments: 2586
11:55 AM, 2nd October 2026, About 3 weeks ago
Reply to the comment left by Reluctant Landlord at 02/10/2026 – 10:59
There are a few problems with allowing pets: It’s not just to do with the average cost of damage reported in this survey. Whenever I have allowed pets it has cost me more money and it has cost me more than the average quoted in this survey. But some dogs will destroy a property or cause thousands of pounds worth of damage that you could only possibly recover through insurance IF your insurance covers it. Some dogs bite the postman. A dog you know nothing about might result in you being unable to carry out inspections as it may be too dangerous. Propertymark doesn’t seem to have got to grips with any of this.
In theory, if a tenant wants a pet you can check to see whether your insurance covers tenant damage caused by pets and then increase the rent to cover the anticipated extra maintenance costs and/or the extra insurance costs. But in practice the Renters Rights Act prohibits you from accepting more than the advertised rent and if as a landlord you ‘unreasonably refuse’ to allow a request to keep a pet then you risk being taken to a tribunal. The only possible response to the Renters Rights Act is to push up all rents to the maximum at every possible opportunity in order to reduce your risk.
If you are going to allow pets you need to know that the animal has been microchipped, you need to know that it is insured, and you need to know what it is insured for. There’s also a big difference between one small chihuahua and five big dogs. You need to know how many animals and what they are….species, breed, size: You need full animal details to get some idea of your risk and you also need to know more about the tenant’s ability to manage them.