Overview
- Tenants in England gain a legal right to ask to keep a pet starting May 1, 2026, ending automatic “no pets” terms in rental contracts.
- Requests must be made in writing and landlords have 28 days to give a clear reason to refuse, with valid grounds including property size, severe allergies, or breeds banned by law; tenants can challenge refusals in the County Court.
- Extra pet charges are outlawed, so landlords cannot add a second pet deposit or raise rent mid‑tenancy because of a pet, though the standard deposit can still cover damage beyond fair wear and tear.
- Clauses in existing leases that ban pets become void on May 1, but many flat‑dwellers may still be barred because headleases from freeholders often prohibit pets and the Act does not override those building‑level rules.
- Insurers and vets urge renters to prepare a brief “pet CV” with training and vet references and to budget for care costs to strengthen approval chances, with a Private Rented Sector Ombudsman planned by 2028 to handle disputes.