Are Landlords Allowed to Refuse Pets in East London?

Landlords may have valid reasons for not wanting tenants to keep pets in their property. For example, there may be a concern that a pet could cause damage to the property, or they are worried about odours. Some properties might not be suitable for keeping larger pets or in shared accommodation, such as HMOs, other tenants may have pet allergies.

It has been common for landlords to include no pet clauses within the tenancy agreement to prevent tenants from keeping pets in the property. However, the upcoming Renters’ Rights Bill includes plans to prevent landlords from unreasonably refusing pets in their rental properties.

Areas with access to beauty spots and large green spaces are ideal for tenants with dogs, so landlords are more likely to receive pet requests for properties in close proximity to parks. Leytonstone, Stratford and Forest Gate are close to Wanstead Park, West Ham Park and Hackney Marshes, so there is high demand for pet friendly properties in these parts of east London.

If you are wondering whether landlords are legally allowed to refuse pets in east London and what the proposed new rules will mean for landlords and tenants, read on.

Is It Illegal To Refuse Pets In A Rental Property?

It is not illegal for landlords to refuse pets in a rental property, as they are allowed to include a “no pets” clause in the tenancy agreement. However, the government introduced the Model Tenancy Agreement with the objective to make it easier for pet owners to find a pet friendly rental property.

The Model Tenancy Agreement is a tenancy agreement template recommended by the government, but it is not mandatory. Landlords who choose to use the template for tenancy agreements consent to pets by default. Tenants must request permission in writing to keep a pet, and the landlord has the opportunity to object if there is good reason. The objection must be made within 28 days of receiving the request and a valid reason should be provided for the refusal.

What’s The Legal Framework For Pets In Rental Property?

As the Model Tenancy Agreement is not a legal requirement, current legislation (prior to the Renters’ Rights Bill coming to effect) allows landlords to include a “no pets” clause. However, the laws around refusing pets are not black and white and there are other pieces of legislation to consider.

For example, under the Consumer Rights Act 2015, blanket bans on pets could be deemed as unfair if the tenant disputes the decision and challenges it in court. Landlords must also consider the legal implications of refusing assistance animals, which the courts could rule as being discriminatory. Another important piece of legislation to be aware of is the Tenant Fees Act 2019, which caps the tenant deposit amount at 5 weeks’ rent. To comply with this, landlords can charge higher rent to cover pet damage and cleaning, rather than requesting a higher deposit.

The new rules under the Renters’ Rights Bill will introduce a clearer legal framework and make it easier for tenants to challenge unfair refusals for pets in rentals.

Should You Allow Pets In Rental Property Or Not?

When deciding whether to allow pets in your rental property, there are pros and cons to factor into the decision:

Reasons to allow pets

• Wider pool of tenants to choose from when you allow renting with pets.
• Legal compliance with upcoming law changes.
• Potential to charge higher rent to cover insurance or repair costs for damage caused by pets.
• Can attract longer term tenancies as many tenants with pets want to find a suitable property to settle in with their pet(s).
• Might reduce void periods as pet-friendly rentals can let faster.

Reasons to not allow pets

• Property damage could be a concern, particularly with furnished properties and expensive fittings such as wooden flooring.
• Tenants sharing the property (HMOs) or future tenants could have pet allergies.
• Odours from pets could put future tenants off the property.
• Disturbance of neighbours, such as loud dog barking.

How To Make A Decision About Allowing A Pet

It is a good idea to evaluate every pet request on an individual basis. To find out more information about the pet, you can ask:

What type of pet is it? Also ask for the breed, age and size.

• How long have you had the pet, and do you have references from a previous landlord of a property where you kept the pet?
• Is the pet house trained and vaccinated?
• Is the pet spayed/neutered? (to check temperament and whether it could breed in the near future)
• Where will the pet sleep and does it bark when it is left in a property alone?

When you have asked these questions, you can assess whether the property size and type of property is suitable for the pet to live in. You can also ask tenants how they will prevent damage and keep the property clean. You should be able to get a better idea of whether they are a responsible pet owner from their answers.

How To Formally Decline A Request For A Pet

If you decide to decline a request, you should do so in writing within 28 days of receiving their request. Within your communication, clearly state a valid reason based on the details of the pet and property. Use a professional and empathetic tone and keep a copy of all the communications.

Is There Demand For Pet Friendly Properties?

The pandemic resulted in a surge in pet ownership in the UK. Recent data shows that around 57% of UK households have pets, while less than 10% of rental properties are advertised as pet-friendly.

This means that there is a high demand for rental properties that allow pets, so landlords offering pet-friendly properties will usually have a larger pool of tenants to choose from.

Are There New Laws About Pets In Rental Properties?

Yes, the Renters’ Rights Bill includes a series of new laws affecting the private rented sector, including law changes to improve tenants’ rights to keep pets. The bill has been progressing through Parliament and is expected to come into effect by late 2025 or early 2026.

Under the proposed new rules, it will be illegal for landlords to unreasonably refuse a tenant request to keep pets. The exact grounds that will be considered as reasonable justifications to decline a request have not been shared yet and tenants will be able to appeal refusals through the new ombudsman that will also be introduced under the bill.

To help protect landlords from the financial impact of pet related damage, the government has outlined plans to give landlords the right to request that tenants take out pet insurance under the new laws.

Know The Rules About Pets In Rental Properties?

With so many households having pets in the UK, landlords who are open to renting to tenants with pets generally have a larger pool of tenants to choose from, fewer void periods and the potential to charge a higher rent. Once the Renters’ Rights Bill comes into force, there will be strict rules around the reasons for refusing pets, so landlords can get ahead of the changes by advertising pet-friendly rental properties.

If you are a landlord with property in Newbury Park, Barking or Ilford, we can help you to navigate the new rules around keeping pets in rental properties, while ensuring that you have protection from financial losses related to pets living in your properties. Get in touch with our team for more information about our lettings service in east London.