Nine in ten landlords haven't had a single pet request, but half of tenants say pets decide where they live

The underlying demand is real and substantial. Nearly three in ten tenants already own a pet, while a further 19% are either considering getting one or actively planning to do so in the next twelve months. Before the Act came into force, no-pets policies had a direct personal cost for many: 32% of tenants say they were affected in some way, with 15% choosing not to get a pet they wanted, 12% losing out on a property because of their pet, and 5% giving up or rehoming an animal. That experience is reflected in wider research: a Dogs Trust National Dog Survey found that 25% of renting dog owners had been denied housing because of their pet. The new right to request exists precisely to address situations like these. 

For a significant portion of the tenant population, the ability to keep a pet is not a preference but a condition of where they will live. LRG's survey found that 34% of tenants say a pet-friendly property is essential, and they would only consider renting somewhere that permits one. A further 24% say it is either very or somewhat important. For 42%, it is not a factor in their decision at all. The market is divided – but for the third of tenants who say pets are essential, the practical implications of landlords' responses to requests are significant.

When asked what would most increase their confidence in approving a pet request, 31% of landlords say a professional cleaning obligation at the end of the tenancy, and 28% say tenant-funded pet damage insurance. However, a similar proportion, 28%, say nothing would change their view. For those open to persuasion, the financial case may be stronger than many assume. Research commissioned by Battersea, drawing on surveys of more than 2,000 landlords and 1,000 renters, found that 76% of landlords reported no pet-related damage at the end of a tenancy. Where damage occurred, the average cost was £300, compared with £775 for non-pet-related damage caused by tenants without pets. Pet-owning renters also tend to stay longer: 50% had remained in their previous property for more than 3 years, compared with 31% of renters without pets. A Joint research project by Dogs Trust and Cats Protection adds that 26% of tenants say they would stay longer in a property if pets were permitted.

Allison Thompson, Chief Lettings Officer, Leaders part of LRG, commented, "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."

You can download the full report here.