No-pets clauses in tenancy agreements: your rights and how to challenge them

Many tenancy agreements contain clauses that prohibit tenants from keeping pets. The law on this has been changing, and from 2025 the Renters' Rights Act introduces new rules that make it harder for landlords to unreasonably refuse a pet. Below, we set out where the law currently stands and what your options are.

What does a no-pets clause mean?

A standard no-pets clause prevents you from keeping any animals in the property without the landlord's written consent. In practice, many landlords refuse to give this consent or do not respond to requests.

The position before the Renters' Rights Act

Before the Renters' Rights Act comes into force (expected in 2025), tenancy agreements may simply prohibit pets outright. A tenant who keeps a pet without permission is in breach of their tenancy and the landlord can seek possession on breach-of-covenant grounds (Ground 12 for assured tenancies).

However, a blanket no-pets policy may be unlawful discrimination if:

• You have a disability and the pet is an assistance dog or emotional support animal that forms part of your treatment or support
• You can demonstrate that the refusal fails to account for your disability under the Equality Act 2010

The Renters' Rights Act: new rights for tenants with pets

The Renters' Rights Act makes it harder for landlords to refuse a pet. The key change is:

• Tenants will have the right to request permission to keep a pet
• Landlords must respond to the request within a specified period
• Landlords can only refuse on reasonable grounds
• If a landlord's ground is unreasonable, you can challenge the refusal

The Act also allows landlords to require pet damage insurance as a condition of consent. This means you can offer to take out insurance covering any damage the pet causes, which addresses one of the landlord's main concerns.

What are reasonable grounds to refuse?

The details of "reasonable grounds" will be set out in regulations. Likely grounds include properties with no outdoor space for large animals, listed buildings where animals might cause damage, or properties with known allergy issues for other residents.

A blanket refusal with no reasoning will become harder to justify once the Act is in force.

Assistance dogs and support animals

A landlord who refuses a genuine assistance dog (or, in some circumstances, an emotional support animal where there is evidence of disability need) may be refusing a reasonable adjustment under the Equality Act 2010. If your pet is connected to a disability, seek advice before accepting a refusal.

What you can do now

• If you want to keep a pet and your tenancy prohibits it, write to your landlord asking for permission and explaining the type of pet and why it is appropriate for the property
• Offer to take out pet damage insurance as part of your request
• If the landlord refuses, ask for reasons in writing
• If you believe the refusal is connected to a disability, seek advice about an Equality Act reasonable adjustment

When should I contact Support for Tenants?

We advise on housing disrepair and related tenancy rights. If your home has disrepair your landlord has not fixed, we can advise on your options.

Call us on 0800 030 4669. No upfront cost. You only pay if you win, and the fee comes out of the compensation, not your pocket. If you don't win, you pay nothing.

Sources

• Renters' Rights Act 2025 (legislation.gov.uk)
• Equality Act 2010 (legislation.gov.uk)

Related articles

• Tenancy agreement unfair terms, your rights
• Equality Act, housing disrepair and reasonable adjustments