No More Pet Bans: Renters’ Rights Bill Passes Final Hurdle Before Becoming Law

If you’ve ever rented, you’ll know how difficult it is to find a place to live if you have pets. Only 7 percent of landlords advertise pet-friendly rentals on their property listings. It can make it nearly impossible to find somewhere comfortable, safe, clean and affordable if you’ve got a dog, cat, or reptilian friend.

“I know from first-hand experience how challenging it can be,” Laura Vallance Senior Corporate Affairs Manager for Mars Petcare, which has been supporting the bill, and dog mum to two dogs, Florrie and Betty, tells Kinship. “‘No pets’ clauses have forced far too many people to make heartbreaking choices between keeping their home or their beloved companion animal. Extra deposits or inflated rents have only added to the pressure, making pet ownership unaffordable for many renters.”

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But thanks to the Renters’ Rights Bill, also known as the Renters’ (Reform) Bill, first introduced in September 2024, renters should find that renting with a pet will get much easier. The Bill has now passed its final stage through both Houses of Parliament and is awaiting Royal Assent before becoming law, which is expected by early 2026. The RSPCA has called the passing of the Bill through Parliament “a great day for pets”, believing the change could revolutionise pet rehoming in England at a time when many rescue centres are full to bursting.

Summary of the Renters’ Rights Bill

The Renters’ Rights Bill isn’t just about pets – it’s aimed at overhauling the private rent sector by giving tenants, of which there are 11 million in England, more security and stronger legal protections when facing eviction.

The Renters’ Rights Bill, promised in the Conservatives 2019 election manifesto, aims to dispel the current issue of ‘no fault’ (sometimes referred to as ‘back door’) evictions from rental properties in the UK. As well as changes being introduced for those with pets, the bill will also include:

• Removing fixed-term assured tenancies that mean renters are obliged to pay rent regardless of whether a property is up-to-standard and make it difficult for renters to move in response to a change in circumstance. All tenancies will now be periodic until tenants give two months’ notice.

• Regulating rent increases to once per year to the market rate with two months’ notice. Tenants will be able to fight excessive increases in the courts to prevent ‘back door’ evictions.

• Establishing a national rental ombudsman with whom tenants can raise complaints.

• Establishing a new database of private landlords and properties.

Finally, and perhaps the most important aspect of the bill for pet parents, it gives tenants a stronger right to request a pet.

The Bill is sure to please a whole host of private renters who have been putting off bringing a pet into their home, or have been living in unsuitable accommodation because it's the only place that would accept their pet. In a recent survey, 42 percent of renters said they would choose to get an animal when the bill takes effect.

So what exactly are the changes and why are they needed?

Current challenges faced by renters with pets

Common pet restrictions in rental properties

Many tenancy agreements currently have blanket bans on pets, while others may restrict pets based on the species, breed or size if they don’t consider it suitable for the property.

Landlords’ reasons for these rules include concerns about wear and tear on property, the cost of insurance due to add-ons for pet damage, nuisance to neighbours, flea and tick infestation and pet parents who don’t clean up after their pet.

Impact of no-pet policies on renters

With such a small percentage of landlords listing their properties as pet-friendly, Vallance says that “competition is fierce” for the properties with landlords that do welcome pets.

“People sometimes hide pets or avoid having them altogether to stay on the right side of their lease,” says Vallance. “And when it comes to negotiation, renters are usually at a disadvantage, especially in competitive markets.”

Demand for pet-friendly rentals

The demand for pet-friendly rental properties far exceeds supply in the current market. This housing pressure has contributed to pets becoming the second most common reason for animal surrenders to UK shelters, as renters are forced to choose between their homes and their beloved companions.

“With 76 percent of renters either already owning or aspiring to own pets, a significant number of renters will now be able to keep animals without fear of eviction or refusal by landlords,” says Vallance says. 

Key provisions of the Renters’ Rights Bill regarding pets

Tenants’ right to have pets

Under the law, blanket bans on pets will be abolished, fair consideration will be required, and the right to challenge will be allowed.

“This piece of legislation will provide renters with the legal right to request a pet in their home, and landlords can’t refuse without a reasonable justification,” says Vallance.

Requests must usually be made in writing, and landlords have 28 days to respond.

Tenants must tell the landlord or letting agents in writing that they have insurance for their pets, or that they are willing to pay reasonable costs to cover the landlord’s insurance in case of damage.

Landlord obligations and rights

There are protections in place in the bill for landlords. “We know that some landlords are concerned about potential damage caused by pets,” the Government pre-emptively wrote in their guidance regarding the Bill. “That is why the Renters’ (Reform) Bill will allow landlords to require insurance covering pet damage. This will provide landlords with reassurance that any damage caused by a pet can be taken care of, and that the responsibility for preventing and resolving damage caused by a pet will fall to the tenant.”

The Government has said they will roll out specific guidance for landlords prior to the new rules coming into effect.

Exceptions and special circumstances

At times, it will be reasonable for a landlord to refuse a pet request.

“For example, they can refuse if a lease or freeholder prevents it,” says Vallance.

Landlords may also be able to prove that a pet is too large for the property, or that other tenants have pet allergies, and therefore can’t live in a home with pets.

Benefits of the Renters’ Rights Bill for pet parents

Pet parents could see “much greater fairness and security” when this Bill passes, says Vallance. 

“Landlords would have to explain refusals, which makes the process less arbitrary, and there would be clearer ways to challenge unfair decisions,” Vallance continues. “It will also give renters more confidence in negotiating pet terms, such as insurance or the number of pets.”

Renters wouldn’t need to hide pets or delay getting one because of tenancy rules. 

And another, slightly less-reported impact of the Bill? Fewer animals would be rehomed due to housing issues, alleviating pressures on shelters.  

“This reform is a real opportunity to keep more pets with their families and improve animal welfare – which is so important when housing issues are now the second most common reason pets are surrendered to shelters in the UK,” says Vallance.

Concerns and criticism of the pet provisions

Although the pet provisions in the Bill are a “major step forward,” according to Vallance, there are some provisions they would have liked to have seen included. 

“For example, the right to request a pet only kicks in after the tenancy starts,” says Vallance. “Reasonable refusal is vague, and competitive markets could still favour non-pet renters.”

Next steps for pet parents and landlords

Vallance’s best advice for pet parents and renters? “Know your rights. Vague objections from landlords, such as ‘I don’t like dogs’, will no longer be sufficient once these changes come into law. Make your request in writing and be prepared to demonstrate you are a responsible pet parent, as landlords may still refuse your request on reasonable grounds. Guidance will be provided by the Government, so make sure to understand what is deemed as acceptable and unacceptable in terms of justifications.”

If a landlord unfairly refuses a request for a pet, tenants will be able to contact the Private Rented Sector Ombudsman or take the case to court.

Lorna Winter, director of the UK Dog Behaviour and Training Charter, suggested practical tips for bringing a dog into a home that could be applied to any pet. These include animal-proofing your home, investing in routines and training, building social skills in your pet and reducing your pet’s boredom levels with exercise, toys and human contact.

For landlords who might be nervous about allowing renters to keep pets, research commissioned by Battersea with Huddersfield University shows these fears are often unfounded. The research showed that three out of four landlords reported that they didn’t encounter any damage caused by pets in their properties.

“In fact, landlords found that there was more damage from tenants without pets than from tenants with pets,” says Vallance.

And an added bonus for landlords with the passing of the Bill?

“Welcoming pets can also reduce tenant turnover and foster stronger landlord-tenant relationships,” says Vallance.

Bottom line: Renters’ Rights Bill and pet parents

The Renters’ Rights Bill is a long-awaited piece of legislation that will finally give more renters the option to bring pets into their homes, as it abolishes a blanket ban on owning pets and states that landlords shouldn’t deny pet requests unreasonably.

Frequently asked quested: the Renters’ Rights Bill for pet parents

What is the new law for renting with pets in the UK?

The Renters’ Rights Bill, which is expected to receive royal assent by the end of 2025, becoming law in early 2026, will ban blanket bans on pets in privately rented properties. Tenants can make written requests asking landlords for permission to own a pet. If the landlord refuses, they must provide a good reason in writing, which tenants can appeal if the refusal is unreasonable. 

Can landlords refuse pets in the UK in 2025?

The short answer: yes. 

“Right now, landlords can simply include a ‘no pets’ clause or refuse permission,” says Vallance. “Once the Bill becomes law, blanket bans will no longer be allowed, and landlords will need to respond reasonably to requests.”

Can a landlord kick you out for having a pet in the UK?

Under the current law, if you break your tenancy agreement (by having pet when banned), the landlord could evict you. 

“The new Bill would make eviction purely for having a pet more difficult – landlords would have to justify refusals,” says Vallance. “That said, problem behaviour or damage from pets could still be grounds for eviction.”

What pets can’t I have if I rent in the UK?

“The Bill does not explicitly differentiate between different kinds of pets,” says Vallance. “However, landlords have the right to refuse on reasonable grounds. This means that pets who are unsuitable for the property, such as a large dog in a small flat, can still be refused. Guidance will be provided, which will provide renters with more details on their rights.”