Searches for pet-friendly rental properties have seen a dramatic decline since the introduction of new legislation granting tenants more rights, with a drop of over 50% recorded in May and June 2026 compared to the same period last year. This significant shift, highlighted by Rightmove data, follows changes made in May 2026 under the Renters' Rights Act, which stipulates that landlords in England cannot unreasonably refuse pets in their properties.
However, industry figures suggest a growing misunderstanding among some renters who believe that permission to keep a pet is now automatically guaranteed. Megan Eighteen, immediate past president of lettings agents trade body ARLA Propertymark, noted that while landlords must consider requests fairly and cannot unreasonably refuse them, valid reasons for declining a pet still exist. These reasons can include another tenant's allergy, the property being unsuitable for large or multiple pets, the pet being illegal, or restrictions from a freeholder if the landlord is a leaseholder.
The Rightmove data indicates that fewer tenants are actively filtering for pet-friendly properties when searching for a home. While 'pets' remains the most common search term overall, ahead of 'gardens', 'garages', and 'furnishings', its lead is narrowing. The decline in searches for properties allowing pets was 54% in May and 52% in June 2026 compared to the corresponding months in 2025, with these falls accelerating as the new legislation approached and was implemented.
Marc von Grundherr, director of agency Benham and Reeves, observed that some tenants are now disclosing pets only after signing tenancy agreements or are being discovered with pets during property inspections. He stated that the balance of power has shifted, and landlords can no longer rely on a blanket 'no pets' policy. Instead, they should anticipate discussions about pet ownership arising later in the letting process. This new dynamic reflects the legislative intent to empower tenants, but also introduces complexities for both parties.
While the law aims to prevent situations like Eve Williamson's, who had to give up her American Bulldog to avoid eviction before the changes, landlords still express legitimate concerns. Chris Norris, a representative for landlords, acknowledged the importance of pet companionship but highlighted the potential for costly damage from irresponsible pet owners or those attempting to keep pets in inappropriate properties. Russell Hunt, founder of Pets Lets, a service matching clients with pet-friendly rentals, suggested that landlords should consider pet CVs and individual circumstances, such as an older dog's temperament, rather than issuing blanket refusals.