More than nine in 10 landlords have not received a formal request to keep a pet since new tenant rights came into force, despite pet policies influencing where many renters choose to live.
LRG’s Summer 2026 Lettings Report finds that 93% of landlords have received no request since 1 May. Six per cent have approved one, 0.8% are considering a request and fewer than 0.3% have refused.
The findings draw on responses from 717 landlords and 860 tenants across England and Wales.
Almost three in 10 tenants already own a pet, while a further 19% are considering getting one or actively plan to do so within the next year.
TENANTS CHANGE HOW THEY SEARCH
Rightmove recorded a 54% annual fall in searches filtered specifically for pet-friendly properties during May, followed by a 52% reduction in June.
However, pets remained the most frequently searched rental keyword in both months.
LRG suggests the decline in filtered searches may reflect tenants becoming able to request permission for a pet at any property, reducing their reliance on listings already labelled pet-friendly.
For 34% of tenants, permission to keep a pet is essential and they will only consider suitable properties. Another 24% describe it as very or somewhat important, while 42% say it does not influence their choice.
NO-PETS POLICIES CARRY PERSONAL COST
Almost a third of tenants report previously being affected by restrictions: 15% decided against getting a pet, 12% lost out on a property and 5% gave up or rehomed an animal.
Landlords identify practical safeguards that could make them more comfortable approving requests. Nearly a third favour a professional end-of-tenancy cleaning obligation, while 28% point to tenant-funded pet damage insurance. However, another 28% say nothing would alter their position.
Battersea research cited by LRG finds 76% of landlords experienced no pet-related damage. Where damage occurred, it averaged £300, compared with £775 of non-pet damage caused by tenants without animals.
AGENTS CAN BUILD LANDLORD CONFIDENCE
Allison Thompson (main picture, inset), Chief Lettings Officer at Leaders, part of LRG, says: “The formal requests are coming in slowly, and that is to be expected at this early stage. But the demand is real, and the legal framework is now in place.
“What the data shows is that most landlords are not opposed to pets in principle – they want practical reassurance that their property will be looked after.
“That is exactly where agents can add value: helping landlords put the right conditions in place, supporting tenants through the request process, and making sure both sides understand what the new rules actually mean.
“Done well, this is an opportunity to build longer, more stable tenancies – and that is good for everyone.”
