Rightmove searches for rental properties that allow pets have plunged by more than 50% in the two months since England introduced new renters' rights – but agents warn many tenants wrongly believe they are now guaranteed permission to keep a pet.
Data shared with the BBC shows that searches for pet-friendly homes fell by 54% in May and 52% in June compared with the same months a year earlier. The drop accelerated as the Renters' Rights Act, which prevents landlords from unreasonably refusing pets, took effect in May.
“Rightmove pet-friendly rental searches fell 54% after law change; agents warn tenants misunderstand new rights.”
The figures suggest that fewer renters are proactively filtering for pet-friendly properties when searching for a home. While pets remain the most common search term overall – ahead of gardens, garages and furnishings – the lead at the top is shrinking.
Megan Eighteen, former president of lettings agents trade body ARLA Propertymark, said there was plenty of “potential for misunderstanding” among tenants about pet-friendly properties. “Landlords must consider requests fairly and cannot unreasonably refuse them, but they can still decline where there is a valid reason,” she said.
Marc von Grundherr, director of agency Benham and Reeves, said some tenants have only disclosed a pet after signing their tenancy agreement, while others have been discovered during property inspections. “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,” he said.
Under the new rules, landlords in England may still be able to refuse a pet if another tenant has an allergy, the property is too small for a large pet or several pets, the pet is illegal, or the landlord is a leaseholder and the freeholder does not allow pets.
For Eve Williamson, a 41-year-old former hairdresser from London, the law change comes too late to save her American Bulldog, Khan. Before the rules changed, she had to give him up or face eviction – despite having previously had a dog in the property. “Life can get tough, but pets bring unconditional love,” she said. “They’re family.” Khan has since been happily re-homed, and Eve said she was delighted with the law change.
The law change also brought relief to Katie Smith, 29, from Swindon, who has two cats – Pumpkin and Pippin – in her rental home. The new mum… [article cut off at source].
The shift has left agents and landlords navigating a new landscape where blanket bans are no longer allowed, but the fine print still gives grounds for refusal – leaving many tenants unsure of their rights.