Can a landlord refuse pets? The Renters’ Rights Act explained

What the Renters’ Rights Act says about pets

Section 11 of the Renters’ Rights Act 2025 adds two sections to the Housing Act 1988. Together they put an implied term into every private assured tenancy in England: the tenant may keep a pet if they ask in the right way and the landlord consents, and the landlord’s consent must not be unreasonably refused.

It came into force on 1 May 2026. It covers existing tenancies as well as new ones, because existing private tenancies became assured tenancies under the new system on that date.

• What counts as a pet. An animal kept mainly for personal interest, companionship or ornamental purposes. There is no species list.
• What “keeping a pet” means. Letting it live at the home, whether or not you own it. Terms about pets that only visit are not affected.
• What the request must contain. It must be in writing and must describe the pet. The Act asks for nothing else: no set form and no letter from anyone else.
• Who it covers. Private assured tenancies in England. The Act excludes social housing, and it does not apply in Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland.

Can a landlord refuse pets?

Yes, but not unreasonably. The Act does not list every reasonable reason. It says only that a refusal connected with a superior landlord (for example a freeholder whose agreement bans pets) is reasonable. For everything else, GOV.UK’s guidance for landlords gives examples.

Refusals that may be reasonable, according to GOV.UK:

• another tenant in the property has an allergy;
• the property is too small for a large pet or several pets;
• the pet is illegal to own;
• the freeholder of a leasehold property does not allow pets.

Refusals GOV.UK says would usually be unreasonable:

• the landlord simply does not like pets;
• they have had problems or damage with previous tenants’ pets;
• they have general worries about future damage;
• they think a pet might make the property harder to let later;
• they know the tenant needs an assistance animal, such as a guide dog.

These are GOV.UK’s examples, not the Act’s words, and a court decides in the end what is reasonable in a particular case.

Does the landlord have to give a reason?

The Act does not require one. The answer has to be in writing, but the statute is silent on reasons. GOV.UK’s overview for tenants says the landlord should give you a reason if they refuse. That is guidance rather than a legal duty.

Emotional support animals and the Renters’ Rights Act

The Act has no separate category for emotional support animals, and UK law does not define them. An animal kept for companionship falls within the Act’s definition of a pet, so the same written request applies.

Where an emotional support animal differs is in the reasons you can give. A letter from a doctor explaining that the animal supports your mental health tells your landlord something they can take into account when they decide. It does not force their hand, and GOV.UK’s own assistance-animal example names a guide dog, not an emotional support animal. But it is relevant information, and in a dispute it is written evidence. ESA letters for housing.

Where these rules do not apply

• Council and housing association homes. The Act excludes social housing. Your tenancy agreement and your landlord’s pet policy decide. What council policies say.
• Scotland. Private tenants currently need the landlord’s written consent, and the Scottish Government says it is up to the landlord. The Housing (Scotland) Act 2025 will add a “not unreasonably refused” rule for private and social tenants, but it is not yet in force.
• Wales. The Welsh Government says it has not created a statutory right to keep a pet. Its guidance says a pets term should let you ask and the landlord should not unreasonably refuse, but that is about fair contract terms.
• Northern Ireland. We found no statute or government guidance setting pet rules for private tenancies. Your tenancy agreement governs.

Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland in detail.