Renting? New UK Law about having "pets" in rental proprties!
A landmark new UK law has come into effect, bringing sweeping changes for the estimated 11 million people across the UK who may wish to own a cat or dog. The Renters' Rights Act overhauls the regulations surrounding pets in privately rented properties in England.
Having come into force in June 2026, tenants now hold the right to request permission to keep a pet, and landlords are prohibited from refusing without reasonable grounds. It should be noted that the new regulations do not extend to social tenants.
Previously, landlords were able to reject applications for any reason whatsoever. Under the new framework, landlords 'should not unreasonably refuse permission. Landlords can still refuse permission if they do so reasonably.'
Landlords will typically have 28 days to respond to such requests and must do so in writing. Regarding circumstances where landlords can decline, Shelter clarified: "The Act specifies that in some situations the landlord's refusal will be reasonable, and therefore the landlord can refuse permission. This covers where permitting a pet to be kept would breach an agreement with a superior landlord, or where the superior landlord withholds consent.
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