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Since the enactment of new legislation aimed at strengthening renters’ rights, searches for rental properties permitting pets have dramatically decreased. Data from Rightmove reveals that in May and June, searches specifying pet-friendly rentals dropped by over half compared to the previous year. This shift follows the Renters’ Rights Act changes in England, which prevent landlords from unreasonably denying tenants the ability to keep pets in their homes.
Despite these legal reforms, some confusion remains among renters who mistakenly assume they have an automatic right to keep pets. On the other hand, landlords maintain that certain properties remain inappropriate for accommodating multiple animals or large dog breeds. Megan Eighteen, the immediate past president of lettings agents’ organization ARLA Propertymark, emphasized that while landlords must assess requests fairly and avoid unreasonable refusals, they retain the right to decline pets for valid reasons. She noted, “There is plenty of potential for misunderstanding among tenants about pet-friendly properties.”
Analysis of Rightmove’s data points to a notable reduction in tenants actively filtering their property searches by pet allowance. Although “pets” continue to be the most frequently searched term—more so than gardens, garages, or furnished options—its dominance is waning. The number of searches for pet-friendly homes fell by 54% in May and 52% in June year-on-year, reflecting a trend that intensified as the regulatory changes approached. Marc von Grundherr, director at Benham and Reeves agency, revealed that some tenants only admit to having a pet after signing leases, with discoveries sometimes happening during routine inspections. He remarked, “Tenants now understand the balance of power has shifted. Landlords can no longer rely on a blanket ‘no pets’ policy to deter applications and should instead expect conversations around pet ownership to arise much later in the letting process.”
The law still allows landlords to refuse pets under certain conditions, including the presence of allergic co-tenants, inappropriate property size for large or multiple animals, illegal pets, or where lease agreements forbid them. Illustrating the human side of the issue, Eve Williamson, who was compelled to give up her American Bulldog, Khan, before these regulations, described her experience as “awful,” highlighting the emotional connection pets offer during difficult times. Meanwhile, pet owners like Katie Smith express joy over sharing life lessons with their pets, despite acknowledging the ongoing challenges in securing rental housing that welcomes animals. Russell Hunt, founder of Pets Lets, advocates for landlords to assess each pet request individually, considering factors such as the temperament and age of pets, rather than imposing broad restrictions based solely on size or number.
Landlords acknowledge the emotional value pets provide tenants but remain concerned about potential property damage and financial risks. Chris Norris, chief policy officer at the National Residential Landlords Association, pointed out the lack of tools landlords have to enforce insurance or request additional deposits related to pets, leaving them vulnerable to repair costs. According to Lesley Horton, chief property ombudsman, landlords should avoid charging extra fees specifically for pets as these fall outside allowable charges; however, deductions from security deposits for verified pet damage remain permitted
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