Emotional support animals in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland
The Renters’ Rights Act pet rule is England only. Here is what applies if you rent or ask for an adjustment elsewhere in the UK.
The short answer. The Renters’ Rights Act pet rule covers private tenancies in England only. In Scotland, private tenants currently need their landlord’s consent, and a new “not unreasonably refused” rule is passed but not yet in force. Wales has no statutory right to keep a pet. In Northern Ireland the tenancy agreement governs, and disability law is the Disability Discrimination Act 1995.
Scotland
Renting now. Clause 35 of the Scottish Government’s model private residential tenancy agreement says the tenant will not keep any animals or pets without the landlord’s prior written consent. The Scottish Government’s notes on the model agreement say it is up to the landlord whether to give it. Those notes also say that refusing to change a no-pets term for a disabled tenant who needs an assistance dog may be disability discrimination. That example is about assistance dogs, not emotional support animals.
What is coming. The Housing (Scotland) Act 2025 will add a term to private residential tenancies that the landlord’s consent to a pet may not be unreasonably refused, with an appeal to the First-tier Tribunal. It will give social tenants a similar term. As at September 2026, only the Scottish Ministers’ powers to make regulations have been brought into force. The tenant pet provisions have no start date yet.
Equality law. The Equality Act 2010 applies in Scotland, so the reasonable adjustments duty and the EHRC’s guidance apply as in England.
Wales
Renting in Wales works under the Renting Homes (Wales) Act 2016, not the Renters’ Rights Act pet rule. The Welsh Government says it has not legislated to create a statutory right to keep a pet: landlords and contract-holders can agree a pets term. Its guidance says such a term should let the contract-holder ask for permission, and that the landlord should not unreasonably refuse. That is guidance about fair contract terms, not a right in statute, so read your own occupation contract.
The Equality Act 2010 applies in Wales, as does the EHRC’s guidance.
Northern Ireland
Renting. We found no Northern Ireland statute or government guidance setting pet rules for private tenancies. The Private Tenancies Act (Northern Ireland) 2022 does not mention pets. Your tenancy agreement governs, so ask your landlord in writing.
If you are disabled, Northern Ireland’s disability law may also help. The Equality Commission for Northern Ireland says landlords there have a duty under the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 to make reasonable adjustments for disabled tenants, and gives the example of a landlord waiving a no-pets term so a blind tenant can keep an assistance dog. Its guidance does not mention emotional support animals, so whether the duty reaches one would depend on the facts.
Equality law is different. The Equality Act 2010 does not extend to Northern Ireland, and the EHRC’s remit covers only England, Wales and Scotland. Disability discrimination in Northern Ireland is covered by the Disability Discrimination Act 1995. That Act was repealed in Great Britain in 2010 but still applies in Northern Ireland, which is why a registration site citing it may be right about Northern Ireland and wrong about everywhere else.
What stays the same everywhere
Across the whole UK there is no official register of emotional support animals, and an emotional support animal is not an assistance dog. A doctor’s letter can support a request to a landlord or other organisation anywhere; it does not create a right anywhere. ESA letters for housing · the rules in England · council and housing association homes · UK law overview.
Common questions
Can landlords in Scotland say no to pets?
At present, generally yes. Under the Scottish model private tenancy you need the landlord’s written consent, and the Scottish Government says it is up to the landlord. The Housing (Scotland) Act 2025 will change that, but its pet provisions are not yet in force.
Does the Renters’ Rights Act apply in Wales?
No. Its pet rule applies to private tenancies in England. Wales has its own renting law, and the Welsh Government says it has not created a statutory right to keep a pet.
Does the Equality Act apply in Northern Ireland?
No. Disability discrimination in Northern Ireland is covered by the Disability Discrimination Act 1995, which still applies there.
Can I still get an ESA letter if I live in Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland?
Yes. Our letter is written by a GMC-registered doctor and can support a request to a landlord or other organisation anywhere in the UK. What changes is the law behind the request.
Sources. The legal and clinical facts on this page were checked against these primary sources on 25 September 2026. Law and landlord, university and airline policies change, so check the source before you rely on it.