Renting with pets

Top tips for renting with pets

Landlords can be nervous about having pets in their property is because of the associated risks. In the hands of the wrong owner, pets can lead to dirty conditions, lingering smells, pest infestations, and neighbour complaints. It's therefore your job to outline how you will prevent those risks and show your landlord that you are a responsible pet owner.

Pet CV and references

A CV and references for your pet detailing your pet's age, breed, behaviour, training, vaccinations, flea treatments, and a reference from your vet and/or previous landlord will help paint a picture of what your pet will be like in the property.

Although this is more common for cats and dogs, other animals will benefit from a good reference which reassures the landlord too. It's good practice to provide your vet's contact details and someone who can care for your pet in an emergency. You should also define as best you can when you'll be away from the pet during the day or night.

You can try to introduce your pet to the landlord so they can see how they behave first-hand. The more information your landlord has, the more likely they'll accept your tenancy with a pet.

Rules for renting with a pet

In every nation:

• Permission should be obtained in writing, even if the landlord has agreed verbally.
• Permission for one pet does not necessarily cover another pet.
• Tenants remain responsible for pet-related damage, cleaning, noise and nuisance.
• Conditions must not require unlawful fees or deposits above the relevant national limit. In England, for example, a separate pet fee or compulsory pet insurance is prohibited, and the normal deposit cap still applies. 
• Assistance animals are treated differently. A blanket refusal may amount to disability discrimination where a disabled person needs an assistance animal. This protection comes principally from the Equality Act 2010 in Great Britain and disability discrimination legislation in Northern Ireland.

Pet deposits in Wales

Contract-holders have a right to ask for permission to keep a pet. The landlord must reply within 28 days and must not unreasonably refuse consent. However, landlords can still advertise a property as “no pets”.

Pet rent in Northern Ireland

There is no specific legal right to keep or request a pet. The tenancy agreement controls the position, and a landlord can generally operate a no-pets policy. Tenants should obtain written permission before bringing a pet into the home.

Pet rent in Scotland

Currently, tenants normally need the landlord’s written permission and the landlord generally decides whether to give it. The Housing (Scotland) Act 2025 introduces a right to request a pet, with landlords unable to refuse unreasonably and required to reply within 30 days, but this change is not yet in force and no commencement date has been set.

Pet rent in England

Tenants must ask in writing and describe the pet. The landlord must reply in writing within 28 days and cannot refuse without a fair reason. Fair reasons may include the home being unsuitable, another resident having an allergy, the animal being illegal, or a superior lease banning pets. A general dislike of pets or concern about possible damage is not normally enough. Tenants can challenge an unreasonable refusal.

Allotment Act: rabbits and hens

Under section 12 of the Allotments Act 1950, tenants can keep rabbits or hens provided they are not a nuisance or cause health issues. You are not allowed to keep them for business purposes, such as breeding or selling eggs and we recommend you bring this to your landlord's attention first.

Follow the rules for pets

If you move into a property that doesn’t permit pets, never get a pet without your landlord’s permission. There will most certainly be a clause in your tenancy agreement that says you cannot keep pets and breaking this clause can be used as a ground for eviction.

If you have a pet, your landlord may also add additional clauses to your tenancy agreement relating to the pet. Examples might include what to do around fouling in the garden or inside the property or not leaving it alone in the property for too long.

Any damage to the property, or extra cleaning that the landlord can prove needs carrying out, can be deducted from your tenancy deposit so be sure to follow the terms of your agreement.