🐾 Can Landlords Refuse Pets in the UK? (Winter 2025 Update)
There’s been a lot of buzz recently about pets and renting — and for good reason. Tens of thousands of renters report being denied permission to keep a pet, even when they are responsible owners. Recent research found about half a million renters had their request refused — something that’s now under political and legal scrutiny. Property118
📜 What the Law Says Now
Under current UK rental law:
- A landlord can include a “no pets” clause in a tenancy agreement.
- Tenants must request permission in writing if they want to keep a pet.
- Under the government’s Model Tenancy Agreement, landlords must not unreasonably withhold consent — meaning they should consider each request on its own merits. House of Commons Library
So, today (late 2025) it’s still legal for a landlord to refuse pets — but they need to have a reasonable justification rather than just personal preference. House of Commons Library
Examples of reasonable grounds might include:
- The property is unsuitable for the type/size of animal
- A lease or head-lease restriction forbids pets
- Allergies or risks to other occupants
These are factors courts might consider if a refusal is challenged. UK Parliament Committees
But blanket “no pets ever” rules are increasingly seen as unacceptable in practice.
🐶 New Legal Changes on the Horizon
🏛 Renters’ Rights Act 2025 — What’s Coming
The Renters’ Rights Act received Royal Assent on 27 October 2025 and represents the biggest overhaul of the private rented sector in a generation. Dogs Today Magazine
Under this new Act, from 1 May 2026:
- Tenants in England will have a statutory right to request permission to keep a pet.
- Landlords must consider every written request and cannot refuse without a valid, reasonable reason.
- Blanket bans on pets will be unlawful. MaPS
Landlords will need to reply in writing within a set period (often 28 days) and justify any refusal. Tenants will also be able to challenge unreasonable refusals through the Private Rented Sector Ombudsman or courts. NRLA
🧠 Why This Matters
Right now only a small percentage of UK rental listings are pet-friendly, partly because landlords historically felt better protection from damage or nuisance by refusing pets. The Intermediary
With the new Act:
- More properties are likely to become pet-friendly
- Tenants can legally push back against unfair refusal
- Blanket “no pets” rules will fade from tenancy agreements
However, landlords can still refuse if there’s a strong, specific reason — for example, lease restrictions or genuine safety concerns. NRLA
