The government has confirmed that tenants will be able to challenge landlords in court if they believe a request to keep a pet has been unfairly refused. This will apply before the new Private Rented Sector Ombudsman becomes available, although no formal impact assessment has been carried out for this interim period.
Housing Minister Matthew Pennycook set out the government’s position in response to a written question, confirming that tenants will have legal backing under the Renters’ Rights Act. The legislation gives renters the right to request permission to keep a pet, and landlords must not turn down such requests without a valid and reasonable explanation.
This marks a shift in the balance between tenants and landlords, particularly for those who wish to keep pets in rented accommodation. For many renters, restrictions on pets have long been a challenge, often limiting housing choices or forcing difficult compromises.
No Impact Assessment for the Interim Period
Despite these changes, the government has acknowledged that it has not carried out a specific assessment of how tenants may be affected before the Ombudsman is introduced. This gap has raised concerns about how disputes will be managed during the transition period.
The Private Rented Sector Ombudsman is expected to become a key part of the new system, offering a simpler and more accessible way to resolve disagreements without going through the courts. However, it will not be in place until the second phase of reforms, which is expected from late 2026.
Until then, tenants who believe they have been treated unfairly will need to rely on legal action. This could make resolving disputes more time-consuming and potentially costly, particularly for those unfamiliar with the court process.
Court Challenges as the Main Option
Labour MP Kim Leadbeater raised the issue in Parliament, asking what options tenants would have before the Ombudsman becomes operational. In response, Pennycook confirmed that the courts will be the main route for challenging decisions during this period.
This means tenants will need to demonstrate that a landlord’s refusal is unreasonable if they wish to succeed in a claim. While the law supports tenants’ rights to request pets, the responsibility will still fall on individuals to pursue action where necessary.
Clear Guidance for Landlords
To support the new rules, the government has also published guidance to help landlords deal with pet requests. The guidance makes it clear that each request must be considered on its own merits, rather than being rejected automatically.
Landlords are given a strict timeframe to respond. Once a request is made, they have 28 days to provide a written decision. If they fail to respond within that period, the tenant may take the matter further, including applying to the court.
Landlords can ask for more information about the pet, such as its size, breed, or behaviour, but this must be done within the same 28-day window. After the tenant provides the additional details, the landlord has a further seven days to issue a final decision.
When Refusals May Be Justified
There are certain circumstances where refusing a pet request may be considered reasonable. For example, a landlord may reject a request if the property is too small for the animal, if multiple pets would not be suitable, or if keeping the pet would breach legal restrictions.
Other valid reasons may include situations where another tenant has a confirmed allergy or where the terms of a superior lease prohibit pets altogether. In these cases, the landlord must clearly explain the reasoning behind their decision.
What Landlords Cannot Do
The guidance also sets clear limits on what landlords cannot use as a reason for refusal. Personal dislike of animals is not acceptable, nor are concerns based solely on previous experiences with tenants who owned pets.
Similarly, landlords cannot automatically reject requests due to concerns about potential damage without proper evidence. Each case must be assessed fairly, with decisions based on the specific situation rather than general assumptions.
What This Means for Tenants
For tenants, these changes offer greater protection and a clearer pathway to keeping pets in rented homes. The right to make a reasonable request is now backed by law, which may encourage more renters to raise the issue with confidence.
However, the lack of an Ombudsman in the early stages means that enforcing these rights could still be challenging. Taking a case to court may not be practical for everyone, particularly where time and cost are concerns.
What This Means for Landlords
Landlords, on the other hand, will need to adjust to a more structured process when dealing with pet requests. They must respond within set deadlines, provide clear reasoning, and ensure that decisions are fair and justifiable.
This may require more careful consideration than in the past, particularly for landlords who previously operated blanket no-pet policies. Moving forward, such approaches are unlikely to meet the new legal standards.
Looking Ahead
The introduction of the Private Rented Sector Ombudsman is expected to make dispute resolution much simpler once it comes into force. It will provide an alternative to the courts, allowing both tenants and landlords to resolve issues more quickly and with less cost.
Until then, the responsibility will fall on individuals to navigate the current system. Both parties will need to understand their rights and obligations clearly to avoid unnecessary disputes.
Final Thoughts
The government’s approach represents a significant step towards improving conditions for renters, particularly those who wish to keep pets. While the reforms aim to create a fairer system, the lack of immediate support through the Ombudsman means there may still be challenges in practice.
As the Renters’ Rights Act continues to roll out, it is likely that further adjustments and clarifications will follow. For now, both tenants and landlords should prepare for these changes and ensure they are ready to meet the new requirements.
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