The number of rental homes advertised as pet-friendly in England has fallen by 39 percent since the start of 2026, new analysis shows. The sharp decline comes just weeks before the Renters Rights Act introduces a right for tenants to request pets, which landlords will be unable to refuse without reasonable grounds.
Regional declines hit 50% in parts of England
Research by Inventory Base found that just 5.9 percent of the 98,964 available rental properties in England are currently marketed as pet-friendly – down from 8.2 percent at the start of the year. That represents a proportional drop of 2.3 percentage points and an absolute fall in listings of nearly 40 percent.
The steepest declines have been recorded in the East of England, where pet-friendly listings have fallen by 50.9 percent. The East Midlands saw a 49.8 percent drop, followed by the South East at 46.6 percent, Yorkshire and Humber at 45 percent, and the South West at 43.1 percent.
The North West recorded a 39.1 percent fall, with the West Midlands down 37.9 percent, London down 31.9 percent, and the North East seeing the smallest decline at 31.2 percent.
RRA introduces new pet rights from May
Under the Renters Rights Act, which takes effect on 1 May, an implied term will be added to all tenancy agreements giving tenants the right to request a pet. Landlords will be required to respond within 42 days and will only be able to refuse if they have reasonable grounds, such as the property being unsuitable for animals or the tenancy agreement prohibiting pets in a leasehold building.
This follows Landlord Knowledge’s reporting last year when the Lords rejected calls for stronger pet damage safeguards. The government subsequently dropped plans for mandatory pet insurance after industry pushback, leaving landlords reliant on deposit deductions and the courts to recover pet-related damage costs.
The data suggests landlords may be pre-emptively removing pet-friendly marketing in anticipation of the new rules, preferring to assess requests case by case rather than openly advertising acceptance of animals.
What this means for landlords
- If you currently advertise as pet-friendly: You may wish to review your approach, as the RRA will require you to consider all pet requests regardless of how you market the property.
- Prepare for pet requests: Have a clear process ready – you must respond within 42 days with written reasons if refusing.
- Watch for: Updated guidance on what counts as reasonable refusal – MHCLG is expected to issue further detail before May.
- Review insurance: Check whether your landlord insurance covers pet damage, as deposit caps may not cover all costs.
- Bottom line: Pet requests will become routine under the RRA, and blanket no-pet policies will no longer be enforceable.
Editor’s view
The pre-emptive retreat from pet-friendly marketing reveals landlord unease about the new regime. Without clarity on what constitutes reasonable refusal – and with deposit caps limiting protection – many are taking a wait-and-see approach. The drop in openly pet-friendly listings may simply shift the conversation from marketing to negotiation, but it also signals reduced transparency for tenants seeking pet-friendly homes.
Author: Editorial Team – UK landlord & buy-to-let news, policy, and finance
Published: 31 March 2026
Sources: Inventory Base
Related reading: Lords reject stronger pet damage safeguards as Renters Rights Bill nears law
📘 Renters’ Rights Act: Complete Landlord Guide
Everything you need to know about the new rules – 1 May 2026
