No-Pets Clause in a Tenancy Agreement: Is It Still Enforceable in England?

What Changed on 1 May 2026

Before the Renters' Rights Act 2025 came into force, most tenancy agreements in England included a clause along the lines of "the tenant shall not keep any pet or animal at the property." Landlords relied on these to refuse pets outright.

Section 16A of the Housing Act 1988 (inserted by Section 11 of the Renters' Rights Act 2025) changed this. It creates an implied term in every private assured tenancy that a tenant may keep a pet if they request permission in writing and the landlord consents. The landlord must not unreasonably refuse.

This implied statutory term overrides any express clause in the tenancy agreement that tries to block the pet request process or prevent consent from being given on reasonable terms. In plain English: a blanket "no pets" clause cannot stop a tenant from making a statutory request, and it cannot be used as the sole ground for refusing one.

You Don't Need to Rewrite the Tenancy Agreement

A common misconception is that landlords must issue a new tenancy agreement or formally vary the existing one when a pet request comes in. You don't. The implied term operates automatically by law — it overrides the inconsistent express term without you having to change a single word in the document.

If you grant consent, the practical step is to issue a written pet addendum or consent letter that specifies the individual animal, any reasonable conditions (behaviour expectations, vaccination, neutering), and the date. This sits alongside the existing agreement rather than replacing it.

What the Old Clause Still Does

The "no pets" clause is unenforceable only insofar as it conflicts with the statutory pet request process. It does not give tenants carte blanche to bring animals home without permission. A tenant who moves a pet in without making a written request first is still in breach of the tenancy agreement.

And the clause retains some practical relevance as a reminder: the default position is that permission is needed. It simply cannot be used to refuse that permission unreasonably.

Assured Periodic Tenancies: The Only Type That Counts

The pet request rules apply to private assured periodic tenancies in England. Since 1 May 2026, all former assured shorthold tenancies converted automatically into assured periodic tenancies under the Renters' Rights Act. Social housing, resident landlord arrangements, purpose-built student accommodation, company lets, and holiday lets are excluded.

If you are unsure whether your tenancy is covered, the test is straightforward: is it a private residential tenancy in England that is not one of the listed exclusions? If yes, the pet request rules apply.

What to Do Now

Review your existing tenancy agreement template for future lettings. You can keep a clause stating that pets require the landlord's written consent, but drop any language that purports to prohibit pets entirely. This aligns the written terms with the law and avoids confusion.

For current tenancies where a tenant submits a pet request, follow the statutory process — assess the request on its merits, respond in writing within 28 days, and document your decision. The Tenant Pet Requests guide walks through the entire process with letter templates for both granting and refusing consent.

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