This is what you need to know about pets in lets 2025

If you’re a renter hoping to add a Felix or Fido to your home in 2025, you might just be in luck! The Renters’ Reform Bill is closer to becoming law, which will make it easier for tenants to request permission to keep a pet. Here are 7 things you should know about the proposed pet reforms.

1. A change is likely this year: the Renters’ Reform Bill is speedily making its way through Parliament as most of its content, including pets in lets, was approved under the previous Government. Many experts predict the Bill could become an Act as early as April 2025, with hints from Labour suggesting some reforms could be immediate.

2. Tenants will gain strengthened rights to keep pets in lets: every incumbent tenant will gain the right to request permission to keep a domestic animal in their rental property. Crucially, this new right seems applicable only to non pet-owning tenants after they have moved in. The Bill fails to mention how existing pet owners looking for a rental property will be affected and it will still be possible to advertise new lets as ‘no pets’.

3. A landlord must not unreasonably refuse a pet request: in layman’s terms, if a landlord receives a request from a tenant to keep a pet, they must have a valid reason to refuse – they simply can’t deny the request point blank. The industry is pushing for a list of valid reasons as only one has been quantified at present- that is if a superior landlord (such as a freeholder) has a ‘no pet’ clause in the leasehold agreement.

4. A tenant can challenge the decision: as well as being able to request to keep a pet, tenants will win the right to challenge a landlord’s decision if they refuse. Although the challenge method hasn’t been detailed, it is thought disputes will be overseen by a new, impartial private rental market ombudsman.

5. Key timings have been altered: when the Conservatives’ Renters’ Reform Bill was drawn up, it stipulated landlords must reply to a request to keep a pet within 42 days. Labour’s Renters’ Rights Bill proposes this timeframe is slashed to 28 days.

6. Landlords can insist on pet damage insurance: the Bill recognises landlords may face extra cleaning and repair costs when accepting tenants’ pet requests. To help cover the expense, landlords will be able to charge the tenant a fee to pay for a pet damage insurance policy (thanks to an amendment to the Tenant Fees Act 2019) or they can stipulate the tenant has their own pet damage insurance policy in place as a condition of the request acceptance.

7. New insurance products are emerging: although it has been possible for landlords and tenants to add pet damage insurance to existing contents policies, new products are being developed and launched ahead of the Renters’ Rights Bill becoming law. We recommend the landlord takes out the policy so claims are paid directly to them, with the policy cost passed on to the tenant.

It doesn’t matter if you’re an existing tenant, a hopeful renter or a landlord, it is wise to keep on top of rental sector reforms. Contact us at any time for advice and updates.