Renters' Rights 2026 - Pets in Rental Properties

Renters’ Rights 2026 – A Landlord’s Guide for Taunton, Wellington, Bridgwater & Somerset

Following on from Tenant Selection and Fairness, we now discuss Pets in Rental Properties

Pets in Rental Properties – A More Practical Conversation

Pets are another area where landlord concerns often run high. Understandably, many landlords worry about damage, odour, extra wear and tear, neighbour complaints, or the difficulty of addressing problems once a pet is in place.

At the same time, tenant demand for pet-friendly housing has grown significantly. For many renters, a pet is part of the family, and properties that can accommodate pets may attract a wider pool of applicants and encourage longer stays.

The key here is not to approach pets as a simple yes-or-no issue, but as a matter of risk management and practicality. Some properties are naturally more suited to pets than others. A house with outside space may lend itself better than a small flat with limited ventilation or lease restrictions. The type of pet, the size, the number of animals, and the overall profile of the tenant all matter.

Where pets are considered, the aim should be to put sensible safeguards in place. That might include:

• clear written permission,
• expectations around cleaning and condition,
• regular inspections,
• confirmation of insurance where appropriate,
• and clarity on the tenant’s responsibilities.

Handled properly, pet requests do not need to become a source of conflict. In many cases, they can be managed perfectly well with a practical and documented approach.

For landlords, this is really about balancing flexibility with protection. A blanket refusal may not always be the strongest long-term strategy, particularly where good tenants are looking for a stable home.

If you are unsure how this affects you as a landlord, call us on 01823 740056 or email info@sjmpropertiessw.com
to see how we can assist.