For years, many landlords treated “no pets” as the default.. By the end of May 2026, that position looks less practical and less competitive. The law has changed, tenant expectations have changed, and the summer market is likely to reward landlords who handle pet requests with structure rather than blanket resistance.
From 1 May 2026, tenants in England have the right to request permission to keep a pet in a privately rented home. Landlords must consider each request on its own facts and cannot refuse without a fair reason. The request needs to be made in writing, and the landlord must respond in writing within 28 days. That does not mean every property has to become pet-friendly, but it does mean “we do not allow pets” is no longer an adequate answer by itself.
This matters because the commercial case for being open to pets is stronger than many landlords assume. Rightmove’s earlier rental research showed demand for pet-friendly homes had jumped 120% in a year, far outpacing overall tenant demand growth. While that spike came during the post-lockdown pet boom, the underlying message still holds in 2026: pet ownership has not gone away, and renters with animals remain a large and often underserved group. In a market where quality applicants matter as much as speed, widening the pool can be a smart move.
There is also a seasonal advantage. These blogs are due to appear in newsletters at the end of May, as the summer letting market begins to build. Summer typically brings a wave of moves linked to jobs, school decisions and relocations. At that point, a pet-friendly or pet-considered policy can help a listing stand out quickly, especially when renters are shortlisting homes online. It tells applicants that the landlord is modern, realistic and open to sensible discussion.
Of course, hesitation does not come from nowhere. Landlords worry about damage, odours, complaints from neighbours, leasehold restrictions and the possibility of a refusal turning into an argument. Those concerns are real. The mistake is to assume that the only safe response is always no. Under the current rules, landlords can still refuse if they have a fair reason. A small flat may not be suitable for a large dog. A superior lease may prohibit animals. Another occupier may have a serious allergy. The point is that the decision has to be grounded in the property and the circumstances.
That creates an opportunity for landlords who prefer systems over guesswork. A good pet policy starts with clarity. Decide what information you want from the tenant. Type of pet, breed, age, size, whether the animal is neutered, how often it is left alone, and whether there is any previous landlord reference are all sensible starting points. Some tenants now provide a simple pet CV, and that can be useful. It shifts the conversation from fear to facts.
The inventory becomes even more important in this context. A detailed check-in report, good photographs and a clear record of condition at the start of the tenancy protect both sides. If there is damage later, it can be assessed properly. If there is no damage, the tenant is protected from vague accusations. Pet-related risk is often less about the animal itself and more about whether the paperwork is strong enough to deal with issues fairly.
This is also where landlords need to understand the limits of the new framework. They cannot simply invent a separate pet fee to make themselves feel better. They also need to avoid trying to recover the same loss twice, once through insurance and again through the deposit. The better approach is practical risk management. Know what the deposit can cover. Understand your insurance position. Set out clear expectations for cleaning, nuisance and property care. Make decisions early and record them properly.
There is a wider commercial upside too. Tenants with pets often stay longer because moving is harder and the pool of suitable homes is smaller. That does not make every pet-owning tenant perfect, but it does mean the incentive to keep a stable home can be stronger. In a market where void periods, remarketing and tenant turnover all cost money, that stability has value.
A pet-friendly advantage does not mean abandoning standards. It means replacing lazy default rules with a structured, case-by-case process. Landlords who do that can market their homes more confidently, reach more applicants and still manage risk sensibly. That is likely to matter more through summer 2026, especially as the wider rental market becomes more balanced and tenants have slightly more breathing room than they did a couple of years ago.
The practical takeaway is simple. If the property is suitable, and if the tenant can show they are responsible, a thoughtful yes may now be better business than an automatic no. The law is pushing the market in that direction, but so is demand. In 2026, being pet-friendly is no longer a goodwill gesture. Handled properly, it is a competitive edge.
Source notes: GOV.UK guidance on pet requests under the Renters’ Rights Act; Rightmove renter guidance, 2026; Rightmove pet-friendly rental demand research.
