Pet requests under the Renters' Rights Act: the 28-day rule and fair reasons to refuse

Under the Renters' Rights Act, a tenant in England can ask to keep a pet, and the landlord cannot refuse without a fair reason. The landlord must reply in writing within 28 days.

For letting agents, pet requests are now a deadline-driven process: log the request, get the landlord's decision, reply in time, and keep a record of the reason. This guide sets out the rules and a simple way to run it. Checked against gov.uk on 17 September 2026.

At a glance

What the tenant must send

The request must be in writing and describe the pet: what type of animal it is, how big it is and how much room it will need. A vague "can I get a dog?" is a starting point, but it is reasonable to ask for those details.

The 28-day deadline

The landlord has 28 days to respond in writing. If the landlord asks the tenant for more information, the landlord then has whichever is later: the rest of the original 28 days, or 7 extra days after asking.

Agents should date-stamp every request the day it arrives. A request sitting in a shared inbox is still running against the clock.

Fair reasons to refuse

gov.uk gives examples of reasons that are likely to be reasonable:

• another tenant in the property has an allergy
• the property is too small for the animal, or for several pets
• the pet is illegal to own
• the landlord is a leaseholder and the freeholder does not allow it

Reasons that are not fair

Examples gov.uk says are unreasonable:

• the landlord simply does not like pets
• problems with past tenants who had pets
• worry about damage in general
• concern that a pet might affect future lets
• the tenant needs an assistance animal, such as a guide dog

Each request must be considered on its own facts. A blanket "no pets" policy is not a decision.

Leasehold flats

If the landlord is a leaseholder, the lease may require the freeholder's permission. Ask the freeholder promptly, because the 28-day clock is still running while you wait.

A process for agencies

1. Log the request with the date received and the description of the pet.
2. Diary the 28-day deadline the same day.
3. Ask for missing details straight away if needed, and note the new deadline.
4. Check the lease for leasehold properties and ask the freeholder if needed.
5. Send the landlord a summary with the facts and the deadline, and a reminder that refusal needs a fair reason.
6. Reply to the tenant in writing with the decision and, if refused, the reason.
7. Keep the whole thread on the tenancy record.

For deposits and what can be charged, remember the Tenant Fees Act permitted payments still apply.

Keeping it on track in Letfold

In Letfold, tenants can message the agency from their portal, and every message stays on the tenancy record. A pet request can be logged as a task with a due date 28 days out, so it shows on the diary and cannot be forgotten. For the wider changes, see the Renters' Rights Act guide for letting agents.

Frequently asked questions

Can a landlord refuse a pet under the Renters' Rights Act?

Only with a fair reason, such as another tenant's allergy, the property being too small, the pet being illegal, or a freeholder not allowing it. Each request must be considered on its own facts.

How long does a landlord have to respond to a pet request?

28 days, in writing. If the landlord asks for more information, they have the later of the rest of the 28 days or 7 extra days.

Does a pet request have to be in writing?

Yes. The tenant must ask in writing and describe the pet, including what type of animal it is, its size and how much room it needs.

Can a landlord refuse an assistance animal?

No. gov.uk lists a tenant needing an assistance animal, such as a guide dog, as an unreasonable reason to refuse.

Sources

Checked on 17 September 2026:

• Renting out your property: if a tenant wants a pet to live with them (gov.uk)
• Guide to the Renters' Rights Act (gov.uk)

This article is general information for England, not legal advice.