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Managing Residential Tenancies

Pet Consent Templates for Residential Landlords

The Renters’ Rights Act has introduced important changes for residential landlords, including important new rules governing a tenant’s right to keep a pet. 

While some landlords have been open to pets, others have chosen to prohibit them entirely. Under the new legislation blanket bans on pets are no longer permitted. 

Landlords are now legally required to reasonably consider any request from a tenant to keep a pet at the property. Download Pet Requests Guidance Template to understand your obligations when considering pet requests. 

Responding to Tenant Pet Requests Under The Renters' Rights Act

Under the Act: 

  • Tenants have the right to request permission to keep a pet 
  • Landlords must respond to all pet requests within 28 days 
  • Each request must be considered reasonably on its individual merits 
  • A tenant can apply to the court for consent if the landlord does not respond within the timeframe

To remain compliant and reduce the risk of disputes or enforcement action, landlords and letting agents should: 

  • Respond to pet requests promptly and within statutory timeframes
  • Use legally compliant wording
  • Keep clear written records of decisions and the reasoning behind them

Using Pet Request Templates 

The Pet Request Acknowledgement Letter to Tenant and Residential Tenancy Pet Request and Suitability Form help landlords comply with the Renters' Rights Act, acknowledge pet requests correctly, and gather relevant information about the pet when assessing suitability. 

In some cases landlords may be required to obtain consent from a superior landlord. Where this applies, the Pet Request Letter for Superior Landlord Consent should be used. 

If consent is granted landlords can issue the Pet Consent Letter for Residential Tenancy.

If consent is refused, landlords should use the Pet Request Refusal Letter to Residential Tenant, ensuring the refusal is lawful, reasonable, and properly documented. 

Why Landlords Should Use These Documents  

The selection of solicitor drafted compliance templates are designed to help landlords navigate the new pet rules confidently and lawfully.

These documents:

  • Simplify compliance with the Renters’ Rights Act
  • Help landlords assess pet requests fairly and consistently
  • Reduce the risk of disputes, penalties, or court action

Whether you self-manage your property or use a letting agent, these templates provide the tools you need to stay compliant, avoid costly penalties, and manage your tenancies confidently. 

What Templates are available for download?

Please select from the options below:

Pet Consent Templates for Residential Landlords is part of Property. Just £38.50 + VAT provides unlimited downloads from Property for 1 year.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I still refuse to allow any pets in my property? +
No. The Renters' Rights Act stops blanket no-pet policies. A tenant can request to keep a pet and you must consider each request on its merits and cannot unreasonably refuse. You can still say no for a good, property-specific reason, but you can no longer ban pets outright across the board. Use the request and suitability form to assess each case.
How long do I have to respond to a pet request? +
You must respond in writing within 28 days of the request. If you ask the tenant for more information, you can extend the deadline by a further seven days from when they provide it. Missing the deadline is risky, because failing to respond in time can be treated as consent. Acknowledge the request promptly and diary the date.
What counts as a reasonable reason to refuse a pet? +
Refusal must be genuine and specific to the property or the pet, not a general dislike of animals. A clear example is where a superior landlord's lease bans pets, which the Act treats as always reasonable. Other reasons might include a property genuinely unsuitable for the animal. Give your reasons in writing using the refusal letter so the decision is documented.
Can I charge a pet deposit or require pet insurance? +
No to both. The deposit cap applies whether or not there is a pet, so you cannot add a pet deposit. The pet insurance provision that appeared in early drafts of the Act was dropped, so you cannot require the tenant to take out or pay for pet damage insurance. If a pet causes damage you claim it from the ordinary deposit, and pursue any excess through the court.
Do I need anyone else's permission before I agree to a pet? +
Sometimes. If you hold the property under a superior lease that restricts pets, or a head landlord's consent is needed, you should seek that consent before you reply to the tenant. Use the superior landlord request letter. If the superior landlord refuses, that gives you a reasonable basis to refuse the tenant, which you should confirm in writing.
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