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Government reminds social landlords to deal fairly with tenant pet requests
The government has reaffirmed to social landlords the importance of dealing fairly with tenant requests for pets, urging those without a policy in place to “adopt one as soon as practicable”.
The government has reaffirmed to social landlords the importance of dealing fairly with tenant requests for pets, urging those without a policy in place to “adopt one as soon as practicable” #UKhousingIn a letter to the sector, Baroness Taylor, parliamentary under-secretary of state of housing and local government, highlighted the importance of ensuring requests are “considered fairly” and that “where appropriate, tenants are allowed to keep pets”.
This follows the passage of the Renters’ Rights Act 2025, which will ensure private landlords do not unreasonably withhold consent when a tenant requests to have a pet in their home and strengthen tenants’ rights to challenge decisions.
Baroness Taylor said that she “did not feel it was proportionate or necessary to legislate” for this in the social housing sector, given these tenants “do not generally experience the same barriers to keeping a pet”.
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“I recognise, though, that it is important there is clarity, fairness and consistency across the private and social rented sectors,” she added.
The letter acknowledged that many social landlords already outline their policies on pets in their tenancy agreements, but Baroness Taylor urged those who do not to take action now.
“Where landlords do not, I encourage them to do so and also want to encourage landlords to share best practice on how requests to have pets are considered and communicated to tenants,” she said.
Best practice includes publishing “clear, accessible pet policies” in tenancy documents, and also clearly explaining to tenants the factors considered as part of any request for a pet, according to the letter.
It said: “Where requests are refused, decisions should be confirmed in writing with an explanation for why the request hasn’t been granted and, if appropriate, signpost the tenant to the options available for review or redress.”
Baroness Taylor also highlighted examples where social landlords also include detail on pet welfare and control measures in their policies.
She said: “These approaches show how landlords balance enabling responsible pet ownership with effective property and neighbourhood management, giving tenants clarity on criteria, timelines and redress.
“I am grateful to you if you already have such a policy in place and, if not, I encourage you to adopt one as soon as practicable.”
“This is an issue close to my heart, and I am aware, close to the hearts of many social housing tenants,” the minister also said in the letter.
The first round of reforms under the Renters’ Rights Act will come into force for the private rented sector from 1 May 2026. The act will come into force for the social rented sector in 2027.
Baroness Taylor said in her letter that the government will “shortly be consulting on a proposed new tenure direction to the Regulator of Social Housing”.
The government also said it will continue to work with social landlords in developing guidance for the sector ahead of implementation.
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