Editor's note: This brief was summarised by The Property AI Newsroom from a report by Property Industry Eye. Read the original article for full details.

Most Landlords Yet to Receive Pet Requests Under New Law

More than nine in ten landlords in England have not received a formal request from tenants to keep a pet since the Renters’ Rights Act came into force on 1 May 2026. This is despite over half of tenants saying that pet policies influence their choice of rental property, according to research from LRG.

The Renters’ Rights Act gives tenants in the private rented sector in England a statutory right to formally request permission to keep a pet, and requires landlords not to unreasonably refuse such requests. LRG’s research, based on responses from 717 landlords and 860 tenants across England and Wales, found that 93% of landlords had not received any pet request since the new law began. Of those surveyed, 6% had approved a request, 0.8% had one under consideration, and fewer than 0.3% had refused a request.

The findings suggest that the new framework for pet requests has not yet become a regular part of lettings activity. LRG noted that the low number of formal requests may reflect changes in how tenants search for properties, rather than a lack of demand. Data from Rightmove cited in the report showed that searches using pet-friendly filters fell by 54% in May and 52% in June year-on-year, although “pets” remained the most searched-for rental keyword in both months.

LRG’s survey found that 34% of tenants considered a pet-friendly property essential, while 24% said it was very or somewhat important. Nearly three in ten tenants already owned a pet, and another 19% were considering or planning to get one within the next year. The research also found that 32% of tenants had previously been affected by no-pets policies, with some deciding against getting a pet, losing out on a property, or having to give up an animal.

For letting agents and inventory clerks, the research highlights measures that could reassure landlords about allowing pets. 31% of landlords said a professional cleaning obligation at the end of tenancy would make them more confident about approving a pet, while 28% cited tenant-funded pet damage insurance. However, 28% said nothing would change their view.

Separate research cited by LRG found that 76% of landlords reported no pet-related damage at the end of a tenancy, and where damage did occur, the average cost was £300, compared to £775 for non-pet-related damage. The same research found that 50% of pet-owning renters had stayed in their previous property for more than three years, compared to 31% of those without pets. Additional research by Dogs Trust and Cats Protection found that 26% of tenants said they would stay longer if pets were permitted.