My landlord refused my request to keep a pet — can they?

Direct answer

From 1 May 2026, the Renters' Rights Act 2025 gives you a statutory right to request a pet. Your landlord must respond within a reasonable time and can only refuse on reasonable grounds. Blanket 'no pets' refusals are no longer enforceable.

Related guidance inside this topic

• If your next step turns on legacy Section 21 notice rules, read all Section 21 condition guides.
• For the dates, forms, and evidence behind legacy Section 21 notice rules, see legacy Section 21 checker before you respond.
• If this issue overlaps with section 13 rent increase rules, check section 13 checker to compare the legal tests.
• For a fuller breakdown of landlord repair duties, use repairs checker for the underlying rule set.
• If you need the route-specific rules on legacy Section 21 notice rules, start with what happens after Section 21 ended so you can check the dates and documents against your own case.

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• Renter questions answered
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• Old rules vs new rules after May 2026
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