SHORT ANSWER
Many UK rentals come with "white goods," the British term for large kitchen and laundry appliances like the fridge freezer, washing machine, dishwasher, and tumble dryer. But it is not guaranteed. Fridge freezers are often much smaller than American models, many homes have a washing machine but no separate dryer, and smaller flats and studios may have no dishwasher at all. Before you sign a lease in England, get the appliance list and your landlord's written consent for your pet into the tenancy agreement, and budget for a tenancy deposit of up to five weeks' rent (for annual rent under £50,000), up to one month's rent in advance, Council Tax, a £180 TV Licence if you watch live TV, and any appliances the property doesn't include.
In the UK, "white goods" is everyday shorthand for the large appliances that make a home livable: the fridge freezer, washing machine, tumble dryer, dishwasher, and often the cooker. Americans usually just say "appliances," so the phrase can be confusing the first time it shows up in a property listing or a letting agent's email.
In our Live AMA with PetsLets, Russell Hunt, who works with American clients, puts it simply: white goods are "the fridge, the freezer, the washing, dishwasher, etc." He adds that they are mostly included in UK rentals. The key word is "mostly." What comes with the property varies from one home to the next, and a listing that says "white goods included" may not include every appliance you expect.
That is why the first question to ask about any UK rental is not just "Is it furnished?" but "Which white goods stay with the property?" Ask for a named list: fridge freezer, washing machine, dryer, dishwasher, oven, and hob. If a listing is vague, ask the letting agent to confirm each item in writing before you commit.
The biggest culture shock is not whether appliances exist but what they look like. According to Russell, "not all properties have those big fridge freezers. Some of them are those tiny fridge freezers." If you are used to a full-size American refrigerator, plan your grocery runs, meal prep, and pet food storage around less space.
Laundry is the next surprise. "Not all properties will have a dryer," he explains. "Some will just be a washing machine." For pet owners, that matters. Dog beds, blankets, and towels after a muddy walk take longer to dry without a tumble dryer, so you may want a drying rack or a property that already has a dryer.
Dishwashers are the third gap. In smaller one-bed flats and studios, he notes, "some of them don't have a dishwasher." If a dishwasher is a must-have, add it to your search filters and confirm it with the agent.
Americans who have already made the move say the same thing. In an r/AmericanExpatsUK thread titled "What is a typical U.K. home and what things can we take?", one member advised: "Don't count on having a dryer for your clothes, unless you want to buy one yourself in the rental. Also your rental might not come with a washer, fridge or dishwasher (if there is the space for it)." (r/AmericanExpatsUK discussion)
The takeaway: treat every appliance as unconfirmed until it is listed in writing.
Most American families leave their large appliances behind. UK homes use a different mains voltage and a different three-pin plug than U.S. homes, and full-size American appliances may not fit a UK kitchen even if you convert the power. The practical path is to find out what the rental includes first, then buy UK-spec appliances only for the gaps.
There is also a real advantage to using the landlord's appliances. A landlord must make sure "all appliances they supply are safe," and that furniture and furnishings they supply meet fire safety rules (see your landlord's safety responsibilities). Landlords are also usually responsible for repairing gas appliances, heating and hot water, and electrical wiring.
Appliances you buy yourself are yours to repair, replace, and move out when you leave. Before buying anything, check your tenancy agreement to see who is responsible for each item.
The single most useful habit for a UK rental is putting everything in writing. As Russell warns, "if you don't put it in writing to begin with, they are less likely to get those things fixed or done for you, so just put everything in writing, including your pet."
The law in England now gives that advice more weight. The Renters' Rights Act changed private renting on 1 May 2026. Under the new rules, "You can ask to keep a pet in the property. Your landlord must consider your request and should give you a reason if they refuse". If you think a refusal is unreasonable, the government's guide says you can escalate to the Private Rented Sector Ombudsman or the courts.
There is one important exception for flats. The same guide says it will always be reasonable for a landlord to refuse a pet when their superior landlord prohibits pets, which can apply in leasehold buildings. Ask about building rules before you fall in love with a flat.
New tenancies starting on or after 1 May 2026 must come with certain written information, usually in a written tenancy agreement. Use that document to record:
These rules apply in England. Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland have their own rental laws, so check the rules for the nation you are moving to.
"Families spend months getting the pet import paperwork right, then get caught off guard by the apartment itself. Before you sign a UK lease, get two things in writing: exactly which appliances stay with the property, and your landlord's consent to your pet. Those two lines in a tenancy agreement prevent most of the move-in surprises we hear about." Adam Melton, VP of Strategic Initiatives, Starwood Pet Travel
Upfront costs for a UK rental in England are capped by law in several places, which makes planning easier. Here is what to set aside, with the official source for each figure.
For pet owners, the deposit matters most. The government's guide to the Renters' Rights Act says the tenancy deposit can be used for damage, including damage caused by a pet. Document the property's condition with photos at move-in so normal wear is not mistaken for pet damage when you move out.
Also budget for the pet supplies that do not travel well: a drying rack if there is no dryer, washable throws for carpeted rooms, and storage for pet food if the fridge freezer is small.
Your house hunt and your pet's import paperwork run on the same calendar, so start both early. To bring a pet dog, cat, or ferret into Great Britain you must:
The 21-day rabies wait means you can often line up pet travel with your lease start date, but only if the vaccination happens well before you fly. Banned dog breeds cannot enter Great Britain without a valid Certificate of Exemption, so confirm your dog's breed status before you sign anything.
For the full import process, see our complete guide to pet travel from the USA to the UK. If you want help timing your pet's flight around your move-in date, visit our United Kingdom pet transport page.