Renters' Rights Act 2025
Stronger support for people renting with pets
A positive step for renters with pets
Finding a home that welcomes pets hasn’t always been easy. For many renters across England, it’s meant facing a difficult choice: a place to live, or a pet they love.
At Animal Friends, we believe that choice shouldn’t exist. So, it’s encouraging to see change moving in the right direction.
From 1 May 2026, the Renters’ Rights Act 2025 comes into force in England - bringing stronger support for people renting with pets and helping more animals stay where they belong.
What the Renters’ Rights Act means for you and your pet
The new law is designed to make pet-friendly renting in England more accessible.
If you’re a tenant, you now have:
- The ability to request permission to keep a pet in your rented home
- The expectation that requests will be considered fairly by landlords
- Greater protection against unreasonable refusals
This should make it easier for responsible pet owners to have open conversations with landlords - and move towards more pet-friendly homes.
It’s an important step forward, and one that reflects something we’ve always believed:
pets are part of the family.
Why this matters for animals
Too often, pets are given up simply because suitable housing can’t be found.
When renting with pets feels out of reach, people can be left with few options:
- Rehoming a much-loved pet
- Delaying a move
- Or settling for accommodation that isn’t right
By supporting renting with pets in the UK, the Renters’ Rights Act has the potential to reduce this pressure—helping more pets stay in safe, loving homes.
What to keep in mind
While this is a positive change, it may take time for things to fully shift.
Landlords can still refuse requests in some situations, for example if:
- The property isn’t suitable for a pet
- There are restrictions in a lease or building agreement
You may also find that:
- Permission is still part of the rental process
- Pet-friendly options vary depending on location
So while the law strengthens your position, finding the right home with a pet may still take some planning.
Tips for renting with pets in England
Looking for a pet-friendly rental? A little preparation can go a long way. Create a simple pet profile.
Help landlords get to know your pet:
Age, breed and temperament
Training or behaviour background
Vaccination and vet history
For more tips and help check out our Renters Rights Checklist.
We’re here to help
The Renters’ Rights Act is a welcome step towards more pet-friendly renting in England - and a future where fewer people must make that difficult choice.
At Animal Friends, we’re here to support you and your pet every step of the way.
If you’re preparing to move, you can explore our simple, stress-free tips for renting with pets designed to help you feel more confident and prepared.
Because keeping pets and people together matters.
How to rent a property with your pet
A checklist of steps you could take to make a landlord more likely to be happy with keeping your pet in a rented property.
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