Pet-friendly rental listings have fallen sharply ahead of the Renters’ Rights Act coming into force as landlords adjust to incoming rules on tenants keeping pets.
New data from Inventory Base shows the number of homes marketed as allowing pets in England has dropped by 39% since the start of 2026.
The analysis suggests some landlords are pulling back from explicitly advertising pet-friendly properties ahead of the legislation’s 1 May implementation, despite the Act moving in the opposite direction.
Under the reforms, tenants will gain the right to request a pet, with landlords unable to refuse without a valid reason, even where tenancy agreements currently prohibit animals.
PET-FRIENDLY
Current listings data shows that of 98,964 rental properties on the market, just 5.9% are advertised as pet-friendly, down from 8.2% at the start of the year. In total, there are now 5,839 pet-friendly listings across England.
Regionally, the steepest declines have been recorded in the East of England, where listings have fallen by 50.9% since January. The East Midlands has seen a 49.8% drop, followed by the South East (-46.6%), Yorkshire & Humber (-45%), and the South West (-43.1%).
Other regions have also seen notable falls, including the North West (-39.1%), West Midlands (-37.9%), London (-31.9%), and the North East (-31.2%).
The figures point to a potential disconnect between landlord behaviour and the direction of travel set by the new legislation, which is expected to increase the number of tenants able to keep pets in rental homes.
REASONABLE REFUSAL
Sián Hemming-Metcalfe, Operations Director at Inventory Base, says: “From May, the rules change in a meaningful way. The government’s definition of ‘reasonable refusal’ is tighter than many landlords are anticipating, and the practical effect of that is more pets in more homes – regardless of how a property is currently advertised.
“What the data suggests is that some landlords are responding by quietly reducing pet-friendly listings. In reality, that is more likely to delay the issue than avoid it.
“The answer is preparation, not panic. Robust inventory reports, thorough check-ins and regularly documented inspections give landlords the evidence base they need – both to manage damage when it occurs and to defend their position if a dispute follows. Landlords who have that infrastructure in place will be in a far stronger position come May.”
