The number of pet-friendly rental properties in England has dropped significantly in recent months, raising concerns about accessibility for tenants with animals just as new legislation is set to come into force.
New research shows that listings openly advertising themselves as pet-friendly have fallen by 39% since the start of 2026. This sharp decline comes ahead of the introduction of the Renters’ Rights Act on 1 May, prompting speculation that landlords may be adjusting their approach in anticipation of the changes.
Under the new law, tenancy agreements will include an implied right for tenants to request permission to keep a pet. While landlords will still be able to refuse, they must provide a reasonable justification, making it more difficult to enforce blanket bans. The intention behind the policy is to create a fairer rental market for pet owners, many of whom have historically struggled to find suitable accommodation.
A shrinking pool of pet-friendly homes
Despite the upcoming reforms, the availability of pet-friendly rentals appears to be tightening rather than improving. According to analysis by Inventory Base, just 5.9% of the nearly 99,000 rental properties currently listed in England are advertised as allowing pets.
This marks a notable drop from 8.2% at the beginning of the year, indicating that the proportion of pet-friendly homes has decreased alongside the overall number of listings. For tenants with pets, this means fewer clearly advertised options and potentially more uncertainty when searching for a home.
Pet-friendly rentals have long been in short supply, often forcing tenants to compromise on location, price, or property type. The latest figures suggest that this challenge may be intensifying, at least in the short term.
Regional variations highlight widespread decline
The reduction in pet-friendly listings has been observed across every region in England, although the scale of the decline varies.
The East of England has seen the most dramatic fall, with the number of pet-friendly properties dropping by more than half since January. The East Midlands has experienced a similarly steep decline, with listings down by nearly 50%.
Other regions have also recorded significant decreases. The South East and Yorkshire and the Humber have both seen reductions of over 45%, while the South West is down by more than 40%. In the North West and West Midlands, the decline is slightly less severe but still substantial, at around 39% and 38% respectively.
London and the North East have seen comparatively smaller drops, though both regions have still experienced declines of over 30%, underlining that this is a nationwide trend rather than a localised issue.
Why are landlords pulling back?
The timing of the decline suggests that some landlords may be responding to the upcoming Renters’ Rights Act by becoming more cautious about how they market their properties. By removing or avoiding “pet-friendly” labels, landlords may be seeking to retain greater control over tenancy decisions once the new rules take effect.
There may also be ongoing concerns about potential damage, maintenance costs, and insurance implications associated with allowing pets. While the new legislation aims to strike a balance between tenant rights and landlord protections, uncertainty around how it will work in practice could be influencing behaviour in the short term.
What it means for tenants
For renters with pets, the current market conditions could make finding suitable accommodation even more challenging. With fewer properties explicitly advertised as pet-friendly, tenants may need to approach landlords directly or negotiate on a case-by-case basis.
However, the Renters’ Rights Act could still bring longer-term benefits. By giving tenants the legal right to request a pet, it may gradually shift attitudes and encourage more landlords to consider pet-owning tenants, particularly if demand remains strong.
A market in transition
The decline in pet-friendly listings highlights a period of adjustment within the rental sector. While the new legislation is designed to improve fairness and accessibility, the immediate impact appears to be a tightening of supply as landlords adapt to the changes.
In the longer term, the success of the Renters’ Rights Act will depend on how both landlords and tenants respond. If the policy achieves its aim, it could lead to a more balanced market where pet ownership is no longer a major barrier to renting.
For now, however, the data suggests that pet owners may face a more competitive and uncertain rental landscape in the months ahead.
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