Tiny share of rental homes are ‘pet friendly’ despite incoming law

Currently, only 8% of rental properties in the UK are pet-friendly, despite 51% of adults owning pets. The Renters’ Rights Bill, expected to become law soon, aims to make it harder for landlords to unreasonably refuse tenants with pets. This builds on earlier efforts, such as revised tenancy agreements under Theresa May and the Renters Reform Bill under Rishi Sunak.

Out of 101,908 rental properties listed, just 7,788 are pet-friendly. Regionally, the North East leads with 9% of listings accommodating pets, followed by London, the South West, South East, and North West at 8%.

Landlords often fear property damage from pets, which impacts profits and is difficult to recoup. While the new Bill limits security deposits, it may allow landlords to require insurance against pet-related damages, addressing some concerns. Public opinion supports greater accessibility for pet owners, but landlords remain cautious.