Searches for rental properties that allow pets have slumped by more than half since landlords in England lost the right to impose a blanket 'no pets' ban — a shift that agents say has left some tenants mistakenly believing permission is now automatic.
Rightmove figures shared with the BBC show that pet-friendly searches fell by 54% in May and 52% in June compared with the same months a year earlier — a dramatic acceleration as the new rules took effect. The changes, introduced in May under the Renters’ Rights Act, mean landlords cannot unreasonably refuse a tenant’s request to keep a pet.
“Rental searches for pet-friendly properties in England fall over 50% after law change, as agents warn of tenant confusion.”
But Megan Eighteen, immediate past president of lettings agents trade body ARLA Propertymark, warned of widespread confusion. "Landlords must consider requests fairly and cannot unreasonably refuse them, but they can still decline where there is a valid reason," she said, adding that there was plenty of "potential for misunderstanding" among tenants.
Agents report that some tenants are now disclosing pets only after signing a tenancy agreement, or are being discovered during property inspections. Marc von Grundherr, director of agency Benham and Reeves, said: "The reality is that tenants now understand the balance of power has shifted. 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."
While pets remain the most common search term on Rightmove — ahead of gardens, garages and furnishings — the lead at the top is shrinking. The data suggests fewer tenants are proactively filtering for pet-friendly properties when hunting for a home.
Landlords can still refuse a pet in specific circumstances: if another tenant has an allergy, the property is too small for a large animal or multiple pets, the pet is illegal, or the landlord is a leaseholder whose freeholder does not allow pets.
The law change comes as a relief to renters like Eve Williamson, a 41-year-old former hairdresser from London. Before the rules changed, she had to give up her American Bulldog, Khan, or face eviction from her home — even though she had previously been allowed a dog in the property. "Life can get tough, but pets bring unconditional love," she said. "They're family." Khan has since been happily rehomed, and Eve said she was delighted with the new rules.
For tenants like Katie Smith, 29, from Swindon, who has two cats — Pumpkin and Pippin — in her rental home, the shift may offer greater security. But as agents caution, the legal reality is more nuanced than many renters assume.