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

Many tenancy agreements have a rule that stops tenants from keeping pets. The law on this has changed. The Renters' Rights Act's tenancy reforms took effect on 1 May 2026. They make it harder for a landlord to say no to a pet without a good reason. Below, we explain where the law stands now and what you can do.

What does a no-pets clause mean?

A no-pets clause means you cannot keep any animals in the home. You can only keep one if the landlord agrees in writing. In real life, many landlords say no. Some do not reply to the request at all.

The position before the Renters' Rights Act

Before the Act's reforms took effect, a tenancy agreement could simply ban pets. If you kept a pet without permission, you broke your tenancy. The landlord could then ask the court to take back the home on breach-of-tenancy grounds (Ground 12 for assured tenancies). Breaking your tenancy terms can still lead to that today. So ask for permission rather than keeping a pet in secret.

But a total ban on pets may count as 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 a landlord to say no to a pet. The main changes:

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

The Act also lets the landlord ask you to have pet damage insurance before they agree. This means you can offer to take out insurance to cover any damage the pet causes. That deals with one of the landlord's main worries.

What are reasonable grounds to refuse?

There is no fixed public list of "reasonable grounds". Likely examples: a home with no outdoor space for large animals, a listed building where animals might cause damage, or a home where other residents have known allergy problems.

What the Act has ended is a flat no with no reason at all. It is not an automatic right to any pet. It is a right to a fair hearing for your request.

Assistance dogs and support animals

Some pets help with a disability. A landlord may say no to a genuine assistance dog. Or they may say no to an emotional support animal where there is evidence of disability need. If they do, they may be refusing a reasonable adjustment under the Equality Act 2010. If your pet is connected to a disability, get advice before you accept a refusal.

What you can do now

• Does your tenancy ban pets and you want one? Write to your landlord asking for permission. Explain the type of pet and why it suits the home.
• 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, get advice about an Equality Act reasonable adjustment

When should I contact Support for Tenants?

We help tenants with housing disrepair claims. Is there disrepair in your home that your landlord has not fixed? If so, we can check whether you may have a claim and talk through 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