Renting with pets

According to vet charity PDSA, some 51% of UK adults own a pet of some kind. So you’d think that landlords allowing pets in rental properties would be the norm, but this isn’t always the case.

The good news is that this seems to be the way things are moving, with provisions laid out in the Renters’ Rights Bill hopefully becoming law in spring 2025. In the meantime, here’s how to approach finding a pet-friendly property to rent.

Make your pet feel right at home with peace-of-mind dog insurance, cat insurance or rabbit insurance.

How to find houses to rent with pets

Whether or not pets are allowed is generally speaking down to the landlord. Tenancy agreements may explicitly state ‘no pets’, which is a pretty clear sign. It’s best not to ignore this, as having a pet in breach of your agreement could lead to eviction.

You can usually filter for pet-friendly properties when searching on sites such as Rightmove and Zoopla. There are even websites dedicated to finding accommodation with pets in mind, such as Dogs Trust’s Lets with Pets.

If you’re looking on other sites which don’t have filters for pets, always be sure to ask as early as possible. This avoids wasting the landlord’s time, and your own.

If you don’t already own a pet and you’ve already moved in, it might be worth simply asking the landlord. If you have a good relationship with them, they’re reasonable and it’s not an unreasonable request, then it’s worth a shot. If you live in Wales, the landlord has to consider it, and give reasonable grounds to refuse (more on this below).

Can a landlord refuse pets?

At the moment, yes – landlords are within their rights to refuse your rental application if you have a pet. Although in Wales, they cannot unreasonably refuse. In England, Scotland and Northern Ireland, they don’t have to give a reason.

If they do accept, they can request an additional pet deposit, so they’re covered against potential pet-related damage.

Note that this is protected by a tenancy deposit scheme (TDS), which is a government-backed scheme to make sure landlords don’t pocket your deposit without good reason. So if your pet causes no damage, you’re entitled to get it all back.

What is the Renters’ Rights Bill?

The Renters’ Rights Bill is intended to confer new rights to tenants, including regarding pets. Tenants can ask permission to keep a pet in a rented property, and the landlord cannot unreasonably refuse (note that this is already legislated for in Wales).

What constitutes ‘reasonable’ will be fleshed out by legal precedents over time, but it’s likely that reasonable grounds for refusal will include:

• If the landlord or other tenants have pet allergies (and many people are allergic to cats in particular)
• If the pet is likely to cause damage, although the landlord may instead require that the tenant has adequate insurance to cover this
• If the pet is likely to cause a nuisance, particularly regarding noise
• If the property is unsuitable for the pet, for example on account of their size

How to improve your chances of renting with a pet

As mentioned, there’s no harm in asking nicely. You might also improve your chances with a pet CV, which are increasingly a thing. It’s a good way to highlight their good behaviour and personality.

Include:

• Their name, age and breed
• Microchip number
• Vaccine, fleaing and worming information
• Any training, such as obedience or behavioural classes
• References, such as from previous landlords

See a sample pet CV at Lets with Pets.

Moving your pet in

If the landlord agrees to your pet staying in their property, high fives all round! Before you move them in, here are a few things to get in order:

• Update your pet’s microchip or ID tag with your new address. Keeping your contact details up to date is important in case they go missing.
• Moving day can be hectic. You could get a friend or family member to look after your pet on that day, so it’s less stressful for them.
• If you need to move them in at the same time, it’s a good idea to close them in a room in the new property while you move your things in. Make sure the room has food, water, a litter tray for cats, a bed or somewhere for them to rest, their favourite toy and anything which may make them more comfortable. Familiar scents can be reassuring too.

Also find out more about how to stop your cat getting lost when you move.

If you have an Agria Pet Insurance policy, you can get veterinary advice at any time through the Agria app.

See also:

• Do I have to microchip my dog?
• Do I have to microchip my cat?
• Advice for pet owners: small changes that make a big difference
• How to keep rabbits happy