England's private rental sector is on the cusp of its most substantial regulatory overhaul in decades, with the Renters’ Reform Act set to come into force from 1 May 2026. Among the key provisions of this landmark legislation are significant changes to the rules surrounding pets in rented accommodation, shifting the balance from landlords' absolute discretion to a 'presumed consent' model.
Under the new regime, landlords will no longer be able to implement blanket 'no pets' policies. Instead, tenants will have the right to request to keep a pet, and landlords must consider such requests and cannot unreasonably refuse them. This marks a departure from the current system where landlords have considerable autonomy in setting pet policies, often leading to challenges for tenants seeking suitable accommodation that allows their furry companions.
The Act stipulates that if a tenant makes a written request to keep a pet, the landlord must respond within 28 days. A refusal must be based on reasonable grounds, which could include factors such as the property's suitability (e.g., a small flat not suitable for a large dog), local planning restrictions, or the terms of the building's head lease. Crucially, landlords will also be permitted to require tenants to obtain pet insurance to cover any potential damage caused by the animal to the property, or for the tenant to pay for such damage.
This change is expected to be welcomed by the significant proportion of the UK population who own pets and rely on the private rental sector for housing. It addresses a long-standing issue where many tenants faced a difficult choice between their beloved animals and securing a home. For landlords, while it removes the ability to issue outright bans, it also provides a framework for managing pet-related risks through insurance or direct compensation for damage.
The Renters’ Reform Act as a whole aims to modernise the private rented sector, providing greater security for tenants through measures such as the abolition of ‘no-fault’ evictions (Section 21 notices) and the introduction of a new Private Rented Sector Ombudsman. The pet clause is one component of this broader reform, seeking to create a fairer and more balanced relationship between landlords and tenants across England.