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Pet-friendly rental searches plunge in England after renters rights law
Rightmove data show pet-search filters fell 54.0% in May and 52.0% in June year over year, after new rules took effect in May under the Renters' Rights Act.
Rental searches for homes that allow pets in England have dropped sharply since May law changes expanded renters' rights, according to data shared with the BBC.
Rightmove figures cited by the outlet show pet-friendly search terms fell by 54.0% in May and 52.0% in June compared with the same months a year earlier, with declines accelerating earlier in the year as the rules approached and then took effect.
Agents interviewed by the BBC said some tenants appear to believe pet permission is automatic, even though landlords still may refuse requests for specific reasons. ARLA Propertymark's Megan Eighteen said landlords must consider requests fairly and cannot unreasonably refuse, but can decline where there is a valid reason.
The outlet also reported that in England landlords may still be able to reject pets if, for example, another tenant has an allergy, the property is too small for a large pet or multiple pets, the pet is illegal, or pet permission depends on leaseholder and freeholder terms. The BBC added that landlords and agents expect pet discussions to surface later in the letting process than under the prior blanket no-pets approach.