The government has published new guidance explaining how landlords should deal with tenants who ask for permission to keep a pet.
Under the Renters’ Rights Act, tenants are entitled to make a reasonable request to have a pet, and landlords must not turn this down without a valid reason.
To help clarify expectations, the government has set out examples of when a landlord may refuse a pet and when they must allow one.
Considering Each Request Individually
Tenants must send their request in writing and include basic details about the animal. Once the request has been received, landlords must look at the circumstances of each case rather than rely on blanket rules.
Landlords then have 28 days to give a written response. If they fail to reply within this period, the tenant can take the matter to court.
A landlord can ask for extra information if needed – for example, the size or training history of the animal – but this must be requested within the original 28-day timeframe. Once the tenant answers these questions, the landlord has seven days to issue a final decision.
The government offers a simple illustration:
A tenant asks to keep a dog. The landlord has 28 days to respond but wants to know the size of the dog and whether it is house-trained. The tenant replies saying it is a small, trained dog. The landlord must then reply either within the remaining days of the initial 28-day period or within seven days of receiving the extra details, whichever gives more time.
When Landlords Can Say No
Government guidance outlines a number of situations where refusing a pet may be reasonable. These include:
- Another tenant in the building has an allergy
- The home is too small for a large pet or several animals
- The animal is one that is illegal to own
- A lease or freehold agreement specifically bans pets
When Refusal Is Not Allowed
The guidance also makes clear that certain reasons are not acceptable grounds for refusing a pet request. These include:
- Disliking animals in general
- Having had bad experiences with previous tenants who owned pets
- Worrying about potential damage that has not yet occurred
- Concerns that a pet might affect future lettings
- Situations where a tenant needs an assistance animal, such as a guide dog
If a landlord decides to refuse, they must explain their reasons in writing. Tenants who believe the decision was unfair are allowed to challenge it, either by raising a complaint or by applying to the court.
The guidance also states that once a landlord has agreed to a pet, they cannot later change their mind. The approved pet cannot be treated as a breach of the tenancy. However, tenants must seek permission again if they wish to bring in an additional animal.
Deposit and Damage Rules
The government has confirmed that landlords will still be able to deduct money from a tenant’s deposit to cover repairs caused by pet-related damage. However, they cannot claim twice for the same issue, for example through insurance and the deposit.
An earlier proposal to allow landlords to take a separate pet-related deposit of up to three weeks’ rent was rejected. Likewise, the government has removed landlords’ ability to require pet damage insurance.
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