By Russell Hunt, founder of Pets Lets
For millions of people, a pet is part of the family. I know that from my own life with my dog, Biscuit, and from years of helping pet owners find rental homes across London.
Pets Lets is Chestertons’ specialist partner for pet-friendly rentals, working particularly closely with its Short Lets, Corporate Services and Relocation teams to match landlords with carefully assessed pet-owning tenants.
We’ve worked together housing lots of tenants across London with their dogs, cats, the odd rabbit and even a cute hedgehog which convinced the landlord to say yes.
As landlords are aware, the Renters’ Rights Act has changed the legal position for tenants with pets. For pet owners - many of whom have struggled for years to find a suitable rental home - this represents a landmark shift. However, the change does not mean that every property must accept every pet - and, in practice, finding a suitable home can still be difficult.
Landlords can no longer apply a blanket refusal and must consider each request reasonably.
Since 1 May 2026, tenants have had the right to request permission to keep a pet, and landlords cannot refuse without a reasonable cause, such as lease restrictions or credible evidence of a likely nuisance or harm to other residents.
London’s rental market remains highly competitive. Good properties can attract interest within hours, and applicants with pets may find themselves competing against several tenants who do not have one.
Although the legislation has improved the position of many existing tenants who want to bring a pet into their home, it has not removed every practical obstacle for people searching for a new property.
One of the most significant obstacles is the head lease.
A landlord may be perfectly comfortable with a tenant keeping a pet, but the lease governing the building may prohibit animals.
This can be particularly frustrating in apartment blocks, where a tenant may be unable to take a pet through a communal hallway even when there would be no issue inside the individual property.
This is why landlords and agents should check the terms of the head lease before marketing a property as suitable for pets. It prevents wasted time for everyone and gives applicants a clear answer from the outset.
Supply is another problem. Competition for well-presented rental homes remains intense, so a tenant with a pet needs to make a compelling case quickly.
We recently secured a studio apartment in Camden through Chestertons for an American student with a cat. Access for viewings had to be arranged through the existing tenant, which limited competition and gave us the opportunity to present our client properly.
It was a reminder that every search is different: timing, communication and a detailed understanding of the circumstances can make all the difference.
Some landlords understandably worry about damage, noise or disturbance. However, the presence of a pet does not automatically make someone a higher-risk tenant.
In my experience, responsible pet owners often take particular care of their homes because they know how difficult it can be to find another suitable property.
Meanwhile, serious damage can be caused by tenants without animals. Each application should therefore be considered on its individual merits rather than through a blanket assumption about pets.
The new rules are sometimes misunderstood as an automatic “yes” to every pet request. That is not the case.
A landlord can still consider the type of property, the animal, the terms of any superior lease and any genuine risks involved. The important point is that the decision should be reasonable and based on the facts.
For landlords, that makes careful assessment more important than ever. The strongest decisions combine knowledge of the legislation and wider market with experienced local judgement.
There is no one-size-fits-all answer: a large dog in a compact studio raises different questions from an indoor cat in a spacious apartment, for example.
Tenants should make it as easy as possible for a landlord to understand why they and their pet would be responsible occupants. A pet CV can help bring the relevant information together clearly.
Useful supporting evidence may include:
A reference from a previous landlord confirming that rent was paid on time and the pet caused no damage or disturbance
A reference from a vet, dog walker or daycare provider
Details of relevant training or behavioural qualifications
Information about the pet’s age, breed, temperament and routine
Details of who looks after the animal when the tenant is at work or away
Evidence relating to an assistance or service animal, where applicable
A short personal profile introducing the household - including its human and animal members - and explaining their lifestyle
Tenants can create a pet CV through Say Yes to Pets, but it need not be elaborate. The aim is simply to give the landlord useful evidence and confidence, rather than asking them to make a decision based on a brief line in an offer.
Flexibility can also help. Pet owners may need to consider a wider range of locations, move-in dates or furnishing arrangements.
A tenant who owns furniture may, for example, be better suited to an unfurnished property, while a landlord may feel more comfortable if particular items are removed before the tenancy begins.
As a landlord myself, I prefer to understand who is moving into a property rather than relying solely on financial information.
Where possible, meeting a prospective tenant can be useful. A conversation about the pet’s routine, behaviour and care arrangements may answer concerns more effectively than a standard form.
Landlords considering an application should:
Check whether the head lease, building rules or insurance policy places any restrictions on pets
Ask for relevant references and supporting information
Consider the individual animal and property rather than applying a blanket rule
Make expectations clear before the tenancy begins
Ensure the inventory and schedule of condition are detailed and accurate
Keep decisions and communications properly documented
Good property management does not end once the tenancy agreement is signed. Clear communication, a thorough inventory and prompt attention to any concerns help maintain momentum and prevent small issues from becoming larger ones.
This close attention to detail helps both landlord and tenant feel looked after rather than processed.
The dust is still settling. The Act has given tenants a clearer route to request a pet and has helped some people who are already settled in their homes.
However, it has not instantly increased the supply of suitable properties or removed restrictions contained in head leases.
There is also still uncertainty about how some aspects of the new framework will work in practice as the wider reforms - including the new private rented sector redress and database arrangements continue to be implemented.
What should change is the quality of the conversation. A request involving a pet should not be dismissed automatically, but neither should landlords feel compelled to make a decision without sufficient information.
The best outcomes come from calm, practical advice, proper checks and an honest assessment of the particular property, landlord, tenant and animal.
Ultimately, a successful tenancy is not simply about securing the quickest transaction.
It is about finding an arrangement that can work smoothly over the long term. With realistic expectations, good evidence and proactive communication, many landlords and pet-owning tenants can reach an outcome that gives both sides confidence.
Russell Hunt is the founder of Pets Lets, a specialist property search and relocation service for people renting with pets.