Tenant pet requests: what landlords must do

Under the Renters' Rights Act, tenants in England can ask in writing to keep a pet, and you must consider every request and answer it in writing within 28 days. You can say no, but only for a reasonable reason.

The timetable

• Reply in writing within 28 days of the request.
• Need more details (breed, size, number of animals)? Ask within those 28 days. Once the tenant answers, you have the rest of the 28 days or 7 more days, whichever is later.
• If the tenant doesn't send the information you asked for, you don't have to consider the request further.

Reasonable reasons to refuse

• Another tenant in the property has an allergy
• The property is too small for the animal, or for several animals
• The animal is illegal to own
• You're a leaseholder and the freeholder won't give permission

Reasons that are not reasonable

• You just don't like pets
• A previous tenant's pet caused damage
• General worry about future damage, or about re-letting later
• The animal is an assistance animal, such as a guide dog

Damage and deposits

You can deduct the cost of repairing pet damage from the deposit, in the usual way. Deposits are still capped at five weeks' rent (six weeks if annual rent is £50,000 or more). You can't claim for the same damage twice, for example from an insurance policy and the deposit.

Want the replies written for you? The letter pack has approve, ask-for-information and refusal letters.

If you refuse unreasonably

The tenant can complain and can take you to court. Keep a written record of every request, your questions and your reasons.

Source: GOV.UK Assured periodic tenancies: if a tenant wants a pet.

General information, not legal or tax advice. Checked against GOV.UK on 30 September 2026. Rules change — always confirm on GOV.UK.