A MAJOR new pet law in England is set to come into effect tomorrow.
The changes will see a major overhaul of existing rules for pet owners and renters.
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Pet owners will see a major overhaul to renters rights when owning a pet Credit: Getty
Tenants can now request to keep a pet in private rented housing Credit: Getty
From May 1, a tenant in private rented housing has the right to request to keep a pet, following the introduction of the Renters’ Rights Act 2026.
As part of the rule, landlords cannot unreasonably refuse requests to keep a pet, and will have around 28 days to respond to them.
Landlords will still have the ability to refuse, with potential reasons being another tenant having an allergy, the property being too small or the pet being illegal to own.
The current situation is difficult for private renters wanting to find accommodation where pets are allowed.
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‘No-fault evictions’ will also be banned as part of the act Credit: Getty
Currently 11 million private renters are pet owners Credit: Getty
More than half of UK adults own pets, with England‘s 11 million private renters searching for pet-friendly rentals, which only make up 7% of the market.
Animal welfare charity Dogs Trust, on the announcement of the changes in October 2025, said one in seven people who contact them about giving up their dog stated a change in housing as their reason.
A previous study by the charity revealed only 30% of tenants who they surveyed said their rental agreement allowed dogs, and 32% allowed cats.
Alongside the amendments to keeping pets, the law will also ban ‘no-fault evictions’, where a landlord evicts tenants without a valid reason.
The laws will also see the removal of fixed contracts, with renters living more flexibly on a month to month or week to week basis.
Upon the announcement of the Act, Battersea Dogs & Cats Home said: “It’s a huge step forward, and marks a recognition from the Government that people should have greater rights to keep pets, regardless of whether they own their home or not”.
