Nearly 19,000 people have joined the Dogs Trust charity in calling for expanded pet-friendly rental policies to include social housing tenants.
Last September, the government introduced the Renters Rights Bill, which allows responsible pet owners in England’s private rental sector to request permission to keep a pet. Under this law, landlords cannot unreasonably refuse such requests. However, the legislation does not extend these rights to social housing tenants, leaving many pet owners in a difficult position.
In response, the Dogs Trust has sent a letter to Housing Secretary and Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner, urging the government to close this gap. The letter highlights the importance of allowing tenants in social housing to have the same rights as those in private rentals when it comes to pet ownership.
The campaign has gained significant support, with 18,800 people adding their signatures to back the cause. The charity continues to push for change, emphasising the positive impact that pets can have on tenants’ mental well-being and overall quality of life.
Owen Sharp, the chief executive of Dogs Trust, highlights the challenges faced by pet owners in social housing, stressing the difficult choices many are forced to make.
He explains that across the country, individuals seeking social housing, as well as those already living in it, encounter numerous barriers when trying to keep a pet. In some cases, tenants are left with the heartbreaking decision of giving up their beloved pets in order to secure a safe place to live. For many, particularly those who are vulnerable or isolated, their dogs are not just companions but the only family they have.
Sharp acknowledges that some social housing providers have taken positive steps towards becoming more pet-friendly. However, he points out that the availability of pet-friendly social housing remains inconsistent, making it a matter of luck rather than a guaranteed right for tenants who wish to keep their pets.
The Dogs Trust emphasises that change is necessary to create fairer housing policies for pet owners. The charity argues that there should be a standard requirement for all social housing providers, ensuring tenants have the right to request a pet without facing unreasonable refusals from landlords or housing associations.
Encouragingly, an amendment addressing this issue has already been introduced in the House of Lords. The Dogs Trust hopes this proposal will receive strong support, paving the way for a more inclusive and pet-friendly housing system.
However, while the Renters’ Rights Bill is a positive step towards granting private tenants the right to request a pet, the charity points out that it does not resolve the wider issue—the overall lack of pet-friendly rental properties. Even if the bill passes, many pet owners will still struggle to find suitable homes.
To address this, the Dogs Trust is calling on the government to collaborate with both the private and social housing sectors. By fostering confidence among landlords and ensuring pet owners are not unfairly excluded from the rental market, the charity hopes to make pet-friendly housing more widely available.
The Dogs Trust has raised concerns over the disconnect between landlords’ policies and tenants’ lived experiences when it comes to pet ownership in rental properties. While 46% of private landlords claim they allow pets, only 30% of tenants report that their tenancy agreements explicitly permit dogs. This suggests that despite landlords being open to the idea, many rental agreements still include blanket pet bans, often based on standard templates or generic advice rather than case-by-case consideration.
The charity argues that allowing pets in rental properties can be beneficial for both landlords and tenants. Studies indicate that tenants who are permitted to keep pets are 26% more likely to stay in a property for an extended period, reducing the frequency of tenant turnover and ensuring more consistent rental income for landlords. Additionally, tenants with pets tend to take better care of their homes, as they value their living arrangements and want to maintain a stable environment for their animals.
Beyond financial benefits, fostering a pet-friendly rental market can contribute to a stronger sense of community and well-being. For many individuals and families, pets provide companionship and emotional support, making a stable home environment crucial. The Dogs Trust is therefore urging the government to take further action to encourage landlords in both the private and social housing sectors to embrace pet-friendly policies. By working together to remove unnecessary barriers, they believe a more inclusive and supportive rental market can be created—one that acknowledges the vital role pets play in people’s lives while also addressing landlords’ concerns about property management.
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