Searches for rental properties that permit pets saw a substantial decline in May and June, dropping by 54% and 52% respectively compared to the same months a year prior, according to data from Rightmove shared with the BBC. This downturn in interest for pet-friendly housing accelerated as the legislative changes approached and were implemented.
The shift in renter behavior follows a new law in England that altered the landscape for pet ownership in rental properties. While pets remain the most commonly searched-for term overall by tenants, surpassing searches for gardens, garages, or furnishings, the gap between pet-related searches and others has narrowed.
Agents report that some tenants have not disclosed pet ownership until after signing their tenancy agreements, with others discovered during property inspections. Marc von Grundherr, director of agency Benham and Reeves, noted that tenants now understand the balance of power has shifted. "Landlords can no longer rely on a blanket 'no pets' policy to deter applications and should instead expect conversations around pet ownership to arise much later in the letting process," he stated.
Under the current regulations in England, landlords can still refuse a pet under specific circumstances. These include instances where another tenant has allergies, the property is deemed too small for the animal, the pet is illegal, or if the landlord is a leaseholder and their freeholder prohibits pets. However, some renters appear to mistakenly believe that permission to have a pet is now automatically guaranteed.