Older discussions about pets in rented homes often focus on whether landlords should allow them at all. In England, the process changed on 1 May 2026 for covered assured tenancies. A tenant can request permission to keep a pet, and a landlord must not unreasonably refuse the request.
What a tenant should include
The request should be made in writing and describe the animal. The government guide suggests including what type of pet it is, its size and how much space it needs, for example if it will live in an enclosure. A clear request helps the landlord consider the particular animal and property rather than relying on general assumptions.
A tenant should not treat the request as automatic permission to bring a pet into the home. The government guidance says the tenant needs the landlord’s consent. If there is a tenancy agreement, follow its request route and keep a copy of the message and any response.
The landlord’s response window
The landlord has 28 days to respond in writing. If more information is reasonably needed, the landlord should request it within that period. If the tenant supplies it, the final decision can be given by the later of the remaining original 28 days or seven days after the extra information arrives. If the tenant does not provide information the landlord has reasonably requested, the landlord does not have to consider the request further.
A refusal needs a fair reason and should be explained in writing. The government’s examples include a property being too small for a large pet or several animals, a pet that is illegal to own, an allergy affecting another tenant, or a leasehold restriction where the freeholder does not permit pets and consent cannot be secured. General dislike of pets, possible future damage or the fact that a previous tenant caused problems would usually not be enough on its own.
Keep the decision evidence-based
Check the tenancy type and the current government guidance before relying on the new process; it applies in England and does not replace separate rules elsewhere in the UK. If the property is leasehold, inspect the lease and make any necessary request to the freeholder promptly. Record what information was requested, when it arrived, the decision date and the specific reason for any refusal.
If consent is granted, keep the written agreement with the tenancy record. Discuss any later damage through the normal evidence-based process: the government guide says a landlord may use the tenancy deposit for proven pet damage, but cannot recover twice for the same loss through both insurance and a deposit deduction.
This article is general information, not legal advice. Check the latest official guidance for an individual tenancy.
Source: GOV.UK, Assured periodic tenancies: a guide for landlords — if a tenant wants a pet: https://www.gov.uk/assured-tenancy-agreements-a-guide-for-landlords/if-a-tenant-wants-a-pet