When is it reasonable for a landlord to refuse a tenant having a pet?

Following several high-profile attacks by XL Bully dogs in recent years governments across the UK have put measures in place to ban the breed and impose requirements on people who own them. There has been understandable concern from agents and landlords about the implications for them of the introduction and operation of the new safeguards.

Following the release of the ‘A Fairer Private Rented Sector’ White Paper in June 2022, the Renters (Reform) Bill, published on 17 May 2023, has adopted the UK Government's commitment to the right for tenants to request permission to keep a pet, and amending the Tenant Fees Act 2019 to permit pet insurance.

Introduced to the House of Commons on Wednesday 17 May 2023, the Bill sets out the UK Government’s plan to deliver on the Conservative Party’s policies to reform the private rented sector in England.

The UK Government has proposed some key changes to the PRS, outlined in the Fairer Renting White paper with pet ownership to become more accessible for tenants. With just 7 per cent of properties stating they are ‘pet friendly’, there are ways to reduce the likelihood of deposit disputes.