Pet Permission Decision Notice

The Renters' Rights Act 2025 (inserting Section 16A into the Housing Act 1988) introduces a statutory right for tenants in the private rented sector to request permission to keep a pet. The key provisions are:

• Written request required: The tenant must submit their request in writing, including a description of the pet
• 28-day deadline: The landlord must respond in writing within 28 days of receiving the request
• Cannot unreasonably refuse: Landlords must consider each request on its own merits — blanket "no pets" policies are not acceptable
• Additional information: If the landlord requests more details about the pet, they have 7 days after receiving the information (or the rest of the 28-day period, whichever is later) to respond
• Superior landlord: If the landlord needs consent from a freeholder or superior landlord, they must seek it within the 28-day period
• Court enforcement: If the landlord does not respond within the deadline, the tenant may apply to the court
• No mandatory pet insurance: The pet insurance provision was removed from the Act in July 2025 — landlords cannot require tenants to take out pet damage insurance

These rules came into force on 1 May 2026 and apply to all assured tenancies in the private rented sector. Social housing tenancies are not covered.

When Refusal May Be Reasonable:

• Superior lease prohibits pets: The freeholder's lease expressly prohibits pets and the freeholder has refused consent
• Property unsuitable: The specific pet is unsuitable for the property — e.g., a large dog in a small flat with no garden access
• Building insurance exclusion: The building insurance policy specifically excludes pet damage and cannot be amended
• Health concerns: A neighbouring tenant or occupant who shares the building or communal areas has a documented, evidenced allergy or health condition — a weaker ground on its own, strongest when combined with other property-specific reasons
• Animal welfare: Genuine, evidenced concerns about the pet's welfare given the property — e.g., a large, active dog in a property with no outdoor access. This is a softer ground and should be backed by specifics
• Number of pets: The number of pets requested is excessive for the property size

Grounds That Are NOT Reasonable:

• "I just don't like pets" — personal preference is not a valid reason
• "Pets are messy" — general statements without evidence
• "A previous tenant had a pet and it was a problem" — each request must be assessed individually
• Blanket "no pets" policy — without specific reasoning for the individual request

The key is evidence. Any refusal must be supported by clear, written records in case the decision is challenged.

Important — assistance animals are not pets. A guide dog or other assistance animal is a reasonable adjustment under the Equality Act 2010, not a pet, and must not be refused as one. This notice is for genuine pet requests.

Complete Decision Documentation:

• ✓ Property address and tenant identification
• ✓ Landlord / managing agent details
• ✓ Date request received (28-day clock reference)
• ✓ Date of notice (deadline compliance proof)
• ✓ Full pet details — type, breed, name, number
• ✓ Clear decision — Approved, Approved with Conditions, or Refused
• ✓ Pre-drafted reasonable conditions (editable)
• ✓ Refusal reason section with legal guidance
• ✓ Next steps for the tenant
• ✓ Legal basis section referencing the Act
• ✓ Landlord signature block
• ✓ Professional formatting for recorded delivery

Professional, structured following UK law, and ready to send immediately.

What Can Go Wrong:

• Missing the 28-day deadline: The tenant may apply to the court to enforce the request — this could result in compulsory permission
• No written response: Without a written record, the landlord cannot prove they responded at all
• Unreasonable refusal: If the tenant challenges and the court agrees the refusal was unreasonable, the landlord may be ordered to grant permission and may face costs
• No documented reasons: A refusal without clear, specific reasons is significantly harder to defend in any dispute
• Court and Ombudsman routes: An unreasonable refusal or no response can be taken to court — and, once the Private Rented Sector Ombudsman launches, escalated there too — so a prompt, documented, reasonable decision is your best protection

This notice template helps you respond correctly, on time, and with a clear paper trail.