How to ask your landlord if you can keep a pet in your rented home

From 1 May 2026, you have the right to ask your landlord if you can keep a pet at home. This comes from the Renters' Rights Act. It covers almost all private tenants in England with an assured tenancy.

Before the Act, landlords could say no to pets without giving any reason. Now they must treat your request fairly — and if they say no, they have to explain why.

How to make your request

Write to your landlord by email or letter. Keep it short and include:

• what type of pet you want to keep
• a brief description, such as "a small indoor cat" or "a six-year-old Labrador cross"

Do not rely on asking in person. The request must be in writing for the new rules to apply.

How long does your landlord have to reply?

Your landlord has 28 days to say yes or no in writing after they receive your request.

If they need more information about your pet, they can ask for it within those 28 days. They then get an extra 7 days on top of that — so 35 days in total.

If your landlord does not reply within the deadline, you can ask the court to step in. Contact Citizens Advice first — they can help you write a follow-up letter and explain the next steps.

Can your landlord say no?

Yes — but only for a reasonable reason.

Reasonable reasons include a clause in their own lease that bans pets, or a property that is genuinely unsuitable for the animal you want to keep.

Saying no because you claim Universal Credit or Housing Benefit is not a reasonable reason. Neither is simply not wanting animals in the property.

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What if they refuse?

Ask for the reason in writing. Then contact Citizens Advice to check whether the refusal is reasonable. If it is not, they can advise you on how to challenge it.

It also helps to offer your landlord a practical reassurance. For example, you could agree in writing to pay for a professional carpet clean at the end of your tenancy. This costs your landlord nothing up front — and it often makes them more willing to say yes.

Tips to help your request go well

Keep your request polite and brief. Say how long you have had the pet, describe its size and temperament, and mention if a previous landlord allowed it. Small details like these help your landlord feel confident — and a confident landlord is more likely to agree.

If your landlord says yes, get their consent in writing before you bring a pet home. A short email confirming the arrangement is all you need.