Pet request, and the landlord's written reply

A tenant in England can ask in writing to keep a pet and the landlord must reply in writing and must not unreasonably refuse. The tenant's request, and three landlord replies: consent, consent with conditions, or a refusal with reasons.

England. Checked against the law on 27 September 2026. Information, not legal advice.

When to use this

Tenants: use the request when you want to keep a pet in a home you rent in England. Landlords: use one of the three replies. Since 1 May 2026 a written request needs a written answer, and a refusal needs a reasonable reason. A blanket "no pets" clause no longer works.

Before you send it

Tenant: describe the animal clearly and say how you will look after it. Send the request in a way that leaves a dated record and keep a copy.
Landlord: note the date the request arrived. The reply is due in writing within 28 days; the time can be extended if you ask for more information.
Landlord: if the property is a leasehold flat, check the head lease. If it forbids pets, ask the freeholder for consent and keep the correspondence.
Landlord: conditions must be sensible. A larger deposit is not allowed; the five-week cap still applies.
Both: keep the request and the reply with the tenancy papers.

The template

Tenant's request

[Tenant's name]

[Address of the rented home]

[Date]

To: [landlord's or agent's name]

Dear [name],

I am writing to ask for your consent to keep a pet at the address above.

The animal: [type, breed, age, size]

Name: [pet's name]

Registered with a vet: [practice name]

How it will be looked after: [who is at home, exercise, where it sleeps, what happens when I am away]

I will keep the home and garden clean and put right any damage the pet causes.

Please reply in writing. I am happy to answer any questions.

Yours sincerely,

[Tenant's name]

Landlord's reply A: consent

[Landlord's name]

[Date]

Dear [tenant's name],

Thank you for your request dated [date], which I received on [date].

I consent to you keeping [pet's name], a [type of animal], at [address of the property].

This consent is for this animal only. Please ask again in writing before bringing in another pet.

Yours sincerely,

[Landlord's name]

Landlord's reply B: consent with conditions

[Landlord's name]

[Date]

Dear [tenant's name],

Thank you for your request dated [date], which I received on [date].

I consent to you keeping [pet's name], a [type of animal], at [address of the property], on these conditions:

[for example: the animal stays registered with a vet]
[for example: fouling is cleaned up straight away, indoors and in the garden]
[for example: the animal is not left alone for long periods]

Please confirm in writing that you agree.

Yours sincerely,

[Landlord's name]

Landlord's reply C: refusal with reasons

[Landlord's name]

[Date]

Dear [tenant's name],

Thank you for your request dated [date], which I received on [date].

I have considered it carefully. I am sorry that I cannot consent, for this reason:

[the reason, with the facts: for example the head lease of the flat forbids pets and the freeholder refused consent on: date]

I attach [the document that supports the reason].

If your circumstances change, you are welcome to ask again.

Yours sincerely,

[Landlord's name]

What happens next

The landlord's written reply is due within 28 days of the request, or longer where more information was asked for. Whether to accept is the landlord's decision, but a refusal must be reasonable: a general dislike of animals is not. If the two sides disagree about a refusal, tenants can get free help from Shelter or Citizens Advice, and landlords from a landlord association. The pet requests guide has more.

Information about the law in England, not legal advice. Checked on the date shown.

Where this comes from

Questions about this template

How long does a landlord have to reply to a pet request?

The reply must be in writing within 28 days of the request. The time can be extended if the landlord asks for more information.

Can a landlord ask for a bigger deposit for a pet?

No. The deposit cap of five weeks' rent applies whether or not the tenant keeps a pet.

What is a reasonable reason to refuse a pet?

Examples are a head lease that forbids pets where the freeholder will not consent, or an animal unsuitable for the size of the home. A general dislike of animals is not a reasonable reason.

More templates

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