England’s Pet-Friendly Rental Market Stalls Following New Legislation

Prospective tenants in England sharply reduced how often they searched for pet-friendly rental homes in May and June, compared with the same months in 2023. Industry data shows the fall came after the Renters' Rights Act took effect, changing how landlords can respond to requests to keep pets.

According to data from Rightmove, the “pet-friendly” option remains one of the most-used search filters, but the number of searches using it dropped year-on-year by 54% in May and 52% in June. The shift suggests that many renters are adjusting how they approach pet ownership conversations when looking for a new home.

Renters' Rights Act changes how pet requests are handled

Officials said the Renters' Rights Act limits landlords’ Officials said the Renters' Rights Act limits landlords’ ability to issue blanket refusals to tenants who want to keep pets. Under the new framework, landlords are required to assess pet requests fairly and cannot unreasonably withhold consent.

Analysts said the change may be influencing behaviour earlier in the renting process. Instead of filtering for properties that explicitly accept pets, some renters appear to be proceeding with broader searches and raising the pet issue later, assuming the updated rules offer them stronger protection.

Why searches fell even though the filter remains popular Analysts suggested the decline does not necessarily mean fewer renters have pets. Instead, it may reflect a change in disclosure timing, with more negotiations happening after an application is made or even after agreements are signed, rather than during the initial search.

Industry representatives said this pattern is consistent with Industry representatives said this pattern is consistent with a market where tenants believe they have less need to pre-screen listings for pet acceptance. At the same time, it can create friction later in the process if expectations between tenant and landlord differ.

Landlords can still refuse pets under defined conditions

Despite the reform, landlords retain the right to refuse pets in specific circumstances. These include limitations linked to property size, leasehold restrictions, or health-related concerns such as allergies affecting other tenants.

Industry representatives also said landlords continue to worry about potential property damage. They highlighted that landlords do not have legal mechanisms to require pet insurance or collect extra security deposits specifically for pets, which they see as limiting tools to manage risk.

Pet discussions move from search stage to later negotiations

As a result, the market is shifting the point at which pet-related decisions are made. Instead of being resolved through upfront listing choices and search filters, the issue is increasingly handled after applications are submitted and during post-application discussions.

The data indicates that the “pet-friendly” designation is still important to many renters, but the act’s impact may be reducing the need to rely on it during the earliest phase of the rental journey.

Implications

Country Impact: In England, the Renters' Rights Act is associated with a measurable change in how tenants search for rentals and when they raise pet ownership. The shift may move more pet-related decisions into later-stage negotiations between tenants and landlords.

Industry Impact: For letting agents and landlords, pet requests may increasingly surface after applications, potentially adding steps to screening and agreement discussions. Landlord concerns remain focused on property damage and the lack of tools to require pet insurance or additional deposits tied to pets.

Market Impact: The rental market may see fewer listings and searches explicitly framed around “pet-friendly” status even while demand persists. This could alter how rental platforms and advertisers present pet-related information as negotiations move later in the process.