SHORT ANSWER
Pet permission should be in writing in a UK tenancy agreement because a verbal “yes” is very hard to prove if a landlord changes, a letting agent leaves, or a dispute comes up at the end of your tenancy. In England, the law already expects the pet conversation to happen on paper: tenants must ask to keep a pet in writing, and landlords have 28 days to respond in writing. Keeping a pet without permission may also break the terms of your tenancy agreement. A written pet clause, plus written confirmation of anything else promised before you move in, protects you, your deposit, and your dog or cat.
Since the Renters’ Rights Act changes took effect on 1 May 2026, the process for keeping a pet in a rented home in England follows a clear written structure. According to the GOV.UK guide for tenants on keeping a pet, if you want to keep a pet, you need to ask your landlord in writing and include a description of your pet. That description could cover what type of animal it is, how big it is, and how much room it will need.
Once you have made the request, your landlord has 28 days to respond in writing. If they ask you for more information, you should provide it. If you do not respond, your landlord does not have to consider your request. After you send the extra information, the landlord has either the remainder of the original 28 days or an extra 7 days to give a final decision, whichever is later.
Your landlord cannot refuse without a fair reason, and if they do refuse, they should explain why. The GOV.UK Renters’ Rights Act overview for tenants sums it up simply: you can ask to keep a pet, and your landlord must consider your request and should give you a reason if they refuse.
These rules apply to assured periodic tenancies in England. If you are moving to Scotland, Wales, or Northern Ireland, check the local rules for your tenancy type, since housing law differs across the UK.
A friendly letting agent telling you “the dog will be fine” during a viewing feels reassuring. The problem is that a spoken promise leaves no record of who agreed, what they agreed to, and when. If the property is sold, the landlord switches agents, or the person you spoke with moves on, you may have nothing to show that your pet was ever approved.
GOV.UK is direct about the risk: if you keep or get a pet without permission, you may be breaking the terms of your tenancy agreement. A breach like that can put you in a difficult position with your landlord, especially if you are new to the UK and still building a rental history there.
On Starwood’s Pet Travel Insider series, Russell Hunt, founder of UK pet-friendly rental specialist Pets Lets, explained why the written record matters for every part of your offer, not just the pet:
“It doesn’t matter whether it’s an agent or a private landlord. Agents are all very, very different. They have different processes. Make sure that you’ve got someone looking at the property on your behalf, and that everything makes sense. If you’re offering on a property, put everything in writing. Make sure you put in writing that it will be professionally cleaned. Put in writing if you want any furniture removed, or if there’s some damage that you want fixed.”
A strong pet clause leaves no room for interpretation. Use GOV.UK’s own guidance as a starting point and describe your pet the same way you did in your request. A clear clause usually covers:
Specific wording protects you if you later add a second pet or replace a pet, because the clause shows exactly what was approved. If the landlord approves your pet by email or letter rather than inside the agreement itself, keep that document with your tenancy paperwork and ask for it to be referenced in the agreement.
Your deposit is where unclear agreements usually turn into real costs. Under the GOV.UK tenancy deposit protection rules, your landlord must put your deposit in a government-approved tenancy deposit scheme if you rent on an assured periodic tenancy, and must do so within 30 days of receiving it. In England and Wales, deposits can be registered with the Deposit Protection Service, MyDeposits, or the Tenancy Deposit Scheme. These schemes are designed to make sure you get your deposit back if you meet the terms of your tenancy agreement, do not damage the property, and pay your rent and bills.
Notice that first condition: meeting the terms of your tenancy agreement. If your pet permission is written into those terms, keeping your dog or cat in the home is clearly within the agreement. If it was only agreed verbally, you could find yourself trying to prove a conversation from months or years earlier.
The same logic applies to the property’s condition. If the landlord promised to fix damaged flooring or a scratched door before you moved in, and that promise only exists in a conversation, it can be hard to show the damage was there before your pet arrived. A written list of agreed repairs, along with a detailed check-in inventory and dated photos, gives you evidence if a disagreement comes up when you leave.
Russell’s advice goes beyond the pet clause. When you make an offer on a UK rental, treat every condition as something to confirm on paper:
Russell also suggests having someone view the property on your behalf if you cannot be there in person. For families relocating from the U.S., that is common, because the home search often happens before the move. A trusted person on the ground can confirm the property matches the listing and that what you are agreeing to in writing makes sense.
Americans moving to the UK with a dog or cat are often signing for a home they have never walked through, in a rental market with different rules from the one they know. Under the Renters’ Rights Act, landlords in England cannot ask for, encourage, or accept rent before you sign the tenancy agreement, and can only ask for up to one month’s rent in advance after signing (GOV.UK Renters’ Rights Act overview for tenants). That makes the signed agreement the central document of your move, so it needs to carry every term that matters to you.
As Georgiana Strait, Marketing Manager at Starwood Pet Travel, puts it: “We spend months getting a family’s dog or cat through microchips, vaccines, and health certificates so they can land in the UK legally. The last thing anyone wants is for that pet to arrive at a new home where the permission only ever existed in a phone call. A written pet clause is the final piece of paperwork in the move, and it’s just as important as the rest.”
For more on how the new law works for pet owners, read our guide on how the Renters’ Rights Act changes renting with a pet in England. If you are still searching for a home, our article on red flags pet owners should watch for when renting in the UK can help you spot problem listings early.
Send your request by email so it is dated and easy to keep. Describe your pet using the details GOV.UK suggests, including type, breed, size, and the space it needs. Add helpful context such as your pet’s age, training, vaccination history, and any references from previous landlords. Keep a copy of the landlord’s written reply, and ask for the approval to be reflected in the tenancy agreement before you sign. If the landlord asks follow-up questions, answer quickly, since the response clock continues once you provide the information.
If you are planning a move and want your pet’s travel timeline to line up with your housing search, Starwood’s UK pet transport team can help coordinate it. Request a free quote.