The number of pet-friendly rental properties in England has fallen sharply ahead of sweeping changes to tenant rights, raising concerns that landlords are pre-emptively tightening conditions before new legislation comes into force.
New analysis from Inventory Base shows that listings explicitly advertising pet-friendly homes have dropped by 39 per cent since the start of 2026, with just 5,839 properties currently marketed as allowing pets.
That equates to only 5.9 per cent of the total 98,964 rental listings available across England, down from 8.2 per cent at the beginning of the year, highlighting a growing scarcity of pet-friendly options for tenants.
The decline comes just weeks before the introduction of the Renters’ Rights Act on 1 May, which will significantly change the legal position around pets in rented homes.
Under the new rules, tenancy agreements will include an implied right for tenants to request permission to keep a pet. Landlords will only be able to refuse such requests where they can demonstrate a “reasonable” justification, narrowing the scope for blanket bans.
The legislation marks a major shift for a sector that has traditionally been reluctant to allow pets, often citing concerns over property damage, insurance restrictions and resale value.
The drop in pet-friendly listings has been seen across all regions of England, with some of the steepest falls recorded outside London.
The East of England has experienced the most dramatic decline, with pet-friendly rentals down by more than 50 per cent since January. Similar reductions have been recorded in the East Midlands and South East, while London has seen a comparatively smaller, though still significant, fall of just under 32 per cent.
The widespread nature of the decline suggests a coordinated response by landlords adjusting their listings strategy ahead of the regulatory change.
Industry experts say the reduction in listings may not ultimately limit tenants’ ability to keep pets once the new rules take effect.
Sián Hemming-Metcalfe of Inventory Base said the data points to landlords attempting to manage expectations rather than fundamentally altering outcomes.
“From May, the rules change in a meaningful way,” she said. “The definition of ‘reasonable refusal’ is tighter than many landlords anticipate, which means more pets in more homes regardless of how properties are currently advertised.”
She suggested that some landlords may be trying to delay the impact of the legislation by removing pet-friendly designations, but warned that this approach is unlikely to avoid the issue in practice.
The shift is expected to place greater emphasis on property management practices, particularly around documenting property condition and handling disputes.
Landlords may need to invest more in detailed inventory reports, regular inspections and clearer tenancy agreements to manage potential risks associated with pets.
For those prepared, the new framework could be manageable. However, for others, the transition may introduce additional administrative and legal complexity.
The decline in pet-friendly listings also reflects broader pressures within the rental market, where supply remains constrained and landlords are navigating a series of regulatory changes.
With demand for rental properties already high, tenants with pets may face increased competition in the short term, even as the legal framework shifts in their favour.
As the Renters’ Rights Act comes into force, the disconnect between how properties are marketed and how they can legally be used is likely to narrow.
While the current drop in listings suggests caution among landlords, the longer-term effect of the legislation is expected to increase access for pet owners, reshaping tenant expectations and landlord practices across the sector.
For now, the figures offer a snapshot of a market in transition, as both sides prepare for a new regulatory landscape that will redefine the balance between tenant rights and property management.
