Rental Searches for Pet-Friendly Properties Drop After Law Change

Rightmove searches for rental properties that allow pets have plummeted since law changes gave renters more rights in England, according to data shared with the BBC. Following the introduction of new rules in May under the Renters’ Rights Act, pet searches dropped by more than 50% in May and June compared with the same period a year earlier.

Specifically, renter searches for properties that allow pets fell by 54% in May and 52% in June, according to the figures shared with the BBC by Rightmove. Despite this sharp decline, pets remain the most common searched-for term overall—ranking ahead of gardens, garages, and furnishings—though the lead at the top is shrinking.

Shifting Power Dynamics and Tenant Surprises

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Landlords in England cannot unreasonably refuse pets in their properties under the new legislative changes introduced in May. However, agents warn that some renters wrongly believe permission to have a pet is now entirely guaranteed, leading to potential misunderstandings in the rental market.

Megan Eighteen, immediate past president of lettings agents trade body ARLA Propertymark, stated that landlords must consider requests fairly and cannot unreasonably refuse them, but they can still decline where there is a valid reason.

Marc von Grundherr, director of agency Benham and Reeves, noted that falls in proactive pet searches had accelerated throughout the year as the legislative changes approached and were subsequently introduced. He stated that some tenants have only disclosed a pet after signing their tenancy agreement, while others have been discovered during property inspections.

Marc von Grundherr, director of agency Benham and Reeves, explained that the reality is that tenants now understand the balance of power has shifted, adding that landlords can no longer rely on a blanket ‘no pets’ policy to deter applications and should instead expect conversations around pet ownership to arise much later in the letting process.

Valid Grounds for Refusal and Property Suitability

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Even under the updated rules, landlords retain the right to refuse a pet under specific valid circumstances. According to industry guidance, a landlord may decline a request if another tenant has an allergy, the property is too small for a large pet or multiple pets, the animal is illegal, or if the landlord is a leaseholder and the freeholder expressly prohibits pets.

Landlords and industry representatives emphasize that certain homes remain unsuitable for multiple pets or large dogs. Russell Hunt, founder of Pets Lets—an organization that matches clients with pet-friendly rentals—suggests that landlords should consider each request on its merits rather than issuing blanket bans against large or multiple animals. He recommends utilizing pet CVs and considering specific circumstances, such as older dogs being calmer and sleeping more.

Financial Risks and Ongoing Landlord Concerns

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Representatives for landlords acknowledge the vital companionship pets offer tenants, but they continue to highlight the risk of costly property damage. Chris Norris, chief policy officer at the National Residential Landlords Association, pointed out several outstanding challenges for property owners under the current framework.

• Landlords possess no power to compel tenants to take out insurance.
• Property owners hold no legal right to request an additional deposit for pets.
• The financial burden of costs falls squarely on the landlord should a pet cause damage to a property.

Addressing the financial side, Lesley Horton, the UK’s chief property ombudsman, noted that landlords should not levy pet surcharges, as such fees fall outside permitted fees for issues like late payments or lost key replacements. However, a landlord remains entitled to make deductions from the tenancy deposit at the end of the tenancy for proven pet-related damage.