Landlords in England are still reluctant to allow pets, even as the Renters’ Rights Act will strengthen tenants' rights to keep one, new data shows.
Inventory Base says that its analysis of current rental listings shows only 8.2% of homes are advertised as pet friendly.
The inspection technology firm says that’s an annual increase of only 0.6% compared with January 2025.
It's a small improvement despite private renters gaining a legal right to request permission to keep a pet from May 1st and landlords will need a good reason to refuse.
Under the Act, the change will become an implied term in tenancy agreements, applying even where contracts are silent on the issue.
Tenants keeping pets
The firm's operations director, Sián Hemming-Metcalfe, said: "Despite the Renters' Rights Act significantly strengthening tenants' ability to keep pets, this data shows that landlords are yet to meaningfully adapt, with pet-friendly listings increasing only marginally.
"This suggests many are either taking a wait-and-see approach or haven't fully prepared for the changes ahead."
She added: "As the Act makes it harder to refuse pet requests or regain possession where pets are kept, landlords now need to prepare for the fact that more and more tenants are going to be pet owners.
"As such, landlords must start focusing on protecting themselves against any financial costs this could possibly create."
Among the available protections, since landlords will not be allowed to take a deposit for pet damage, is to have thorough evidence of the property's condition at the start of a tenancy. Ms Hemming-Metcalfe says accurate and comprehensive inventories are needed and landlords should carry out property inspections regularly.
Pet-friendly properties
Research shows the North East has the highest proportion of pet-friendly properties with 11.5% and also the strongest yearly increase, up 2.6%.
The South West follows on 9.1%, with London at 8.8%, the South East with 8.6% and the North West on 8.5%, all sitting above the national average.
At the other end of the scale, the East Midlands is the least welcoming region for tenants with animals, the firm says.
Just 5.6% of advertised lets in the region allow pets, and it is the only part of England to see a fall over the past year, down by -0.5%.
Cannot refuse a pet request
When the Act takes effect in May, landlords cannot refuse a pet request without justification.
Should a landlord refuse, it will need to be reasonable and also given in writing.
Inventory Base offers the example of a rental property being unsuitable for a particular animal or where health concerns arise for other occupants.
Tenants must submit their request to keep a pet in writing, including details of the pet, and landlords must respond to it within 28 days.
Section 21 ending complication
Inventory Base also suggests that the ban on Section 21 ‘no-fault’ evictions could complicate possession proceedings where pets are kept without permission.
In future, landlords will need evidence that a pet has been living in the property.
That means possession may only be sought under existing grounds such as property deterioration or damage to furnishings.
Charging additional fees or rent purely for pet ownership will not be permitted under the Act.
Student tenants with pets
The managing director of Accommodation for Students, Simon Thompson, said that the pet message for landlords is becoming harder to ignore.
He explained: "The shift in tenant rights means the slow uptake of pet-friendly listings risks leaving some landlords exposed as the new law comes in.”
Mr Thompson added: "Landlords don't need to like the changes, but they do need to be ready for them.
"The reality is that more tenants will have pets, and that includes student tenants, whether landlords actively encourage it or not."
