For landlords · 6 min read
Pets in rental property: the request, the refusal and the risk
A tenant can make a written request to keep a pet and a landlord must not unreasonably refuse it, responding within a set period. Refusing reasonably means having an actual reason grounded in this property — a head lease that prohibits animals, or accommodation genuinely unsuitable for the animal proposed — not a general preference. Blanket no-pets clauses are the weakest position: they are unlikely to hold and they shrink your applicant pool in a market where pet owners search hardest and stay longest.
Frequently asked questions
Can a landlord refuse to allow pets?
Only with a reason that is reasonable in the circumstances, given in writing within the statutory response period. A superior lease prohibiting animals, or accommodation genuinely unsuitable for the animal proposed, are the strongest grounds. A general preference is not.
Can I charge a higher deposit for a pet?
No. The deposit cap applies regardless of whether the tenant has a pet, and charging pet rent as a separate fee risks being a prohibited payment. Protect yourself with a detailed inventory and appropriate insurance instead.
What if my head lease bans pets?
That is one of the clearest reasonable refusals, because you cannot grant a permission you do not hold. Keep a copy of the relevant clause and cite it in your written response.
Are pet-friendly rentals harder to let?
The opposite. Pet owners are a large share of the market competing for a small share of the stock, so pet-friendly properties typically let faster and retain tenants longer.