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Written by Matchouse
Read more about our contributorKey Facts
- Over 50 percent of UK households now have pets
- Landlords must respond to pet requests within 42 days
- Blanket bans on pets are no longer valid without justification
- Deposits are capped at 5 weeks’ rent – no extras for pets allowed
- Pet damage insurance is recommended but not legally required
🧠 Introduction
In 2025, pets are part of the family for millions of renters across the UK. As tenant demand for pet-friendly properties grows, landlords are rethinking their policies.
But letting to pet owners brings up important questions: What are the legal rules? Who pays for damage? And how do you avoid problems without limiting your tenant pool?
This guide gives landlords a clear breakdown of legal changes, pros and cons, and smart strategies for safely renting to pet owners.
1. Legal Rules and Tenancy Clauses: What’s Changed?
The Renters Reform Bill introduced a new standard: landlords can’t issue blanket pet bans without strong, documented reasons. Here's how the 2025 rules work:
| Legal Rule | Landlord Action |
|---|---|
| Blanket pet bans are restricted | You must justify refusals (e.g. lease restrictions) |
| Tenants can formally request a pet | You must respond within 42 days |
| No extra deposit allowed | Maximum 5-week rent cap still applies |
| Pet insurance is permitted | You may ask for tenant’s pet damage cover |
| You can include a pet clause | Custom rules per property are still allowed |
Disclaimer: You cannot charge a pet deposit or fee beyond the legal deposit cap. Request pet insurance instead to cover damage risk.
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2. Pros and Cons of Letting to Pet Owners
Should landlords say yes to pets? Here's what to weigh:
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Larger tenant pool | Risk of property damage |
| Tenants stay longer | Odours or wear and tear |
| Willingness to pay higher rent | Noise or neighbour complaints |
| Less vacancy | Cleaning or allergy concerns |
Note: With proper screening, tenancy clauses, and inspection routines, most risks can be significantly reduced.
✅ Related Article:
3. Tips from Landlords Who Say Yes to Pets
Experienced pet-friendly landlords share a few best practices:
- Add a clear pet clause to the tenancy agreement
- Request pet references from previous landlords or vets
- Do an in-person meeting to assess pet behaviour
- Include routine property inspections every 6 months
- Ask tenants to professionally clean carpets at end of tenancy
Tip: Always ask tenants to declare the breed, age, and number of pets in writing before approval. This avoids surprises and helps tailor your agreement.
Here’s a neater and more visually structured version of the “Should You Go Pet-Friendly?” checklist section, styled for better UI layout and clean formatting in your blog:
🧾 Should You Go Pet-Friendly? Here’s the Checklist:
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✅ Pet-Friendly Design Does your property have suitable flooring, a private garden, or pet-safe features?
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✅ Tenancy Agreement Ready Have you included a clear pet clause outlining rules and responsibilities?
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✅ Insurance Considerations Are you planning to request pet damage cover from tenants?
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✅ Inspection Preparedness Will you carry out mid-term inspections to monitor property condition?
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✅ Flexibility on Terms Would you consider longer leases or slightly higher rent for pet owners?
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Written by Matchouse
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