Pets and the Model Tenancy Agreement: A Guide for Landlords
c.jermyn • January 17, 2020
The Government has announced an overhaul of model tenancy contracts to encourage landlords to rent to responsible tenants with ‘well behaved pets’
The Government’s intentions are to revise the model tenancy contract to remove the restrictions on ‘well behaved pets’. The model contract will be provided by Government and will be the recommended (not required) contract for landlords to use when renting to tenants in England. We are expecting the template to be published sometime this year.
The Government advice is that a total ban should only be implemented where there is good reason. Consideration must be given to the suitability of having the pet in the property. Things to consider include, the size of the property, type and size of the pet, for example.
It should be noted that if the property is leasehold, there is usually a restriction on having pets in the lease, and a landlord will be required to comply with the terms of their lease.
Currently a clause prohibiting pets is subject to the Consumer Rights Act 2015, under which, the clause should allow the tenant to request permission to keep a pet and that request should not be unreasonably refused. Some landlords do amend their tenancy agreements to remove the clause allowing tenants to request permission in preference for an outright ban. However, in effect this renders the whole clause invalid and means there is no clause in the agreement stopping a tenant from keeping a pet! Instead, we would advise an amendment to the clause to request written permission plus additional conditions to be met, such as the tenant agreeing to make good any damage caused by that pet.
Housing Secretary Rt Hon Robert Jenrick MP said:
"Pets bring a huge amount of joy and comfort to people’s lives, helping their owner’s through difficult times and improving their mental and physical wellbeing. So, it’s a shame that thousands of animal-loving tenants and their children can’t experience this because they rent their homes instead of owning property.
So, I’m overhauling our model tenancy contract to encourage more landlords to consider opening their doors to responsible pet owners. And we will be listening to tenants and landlords to see what more we can do to tackle this issue in a way that is fair to both.
This is part of the Government’s mission to improve life for tenants, recognising that more are renting and for longer in life. We’ve already taken action, banning unfair letting fees and capping tenancy deposits, saving tenants across England at least £240 million a year, and I will continue to take more steps to secure a better deal for renters up and down the country."
Even animal loving landlords will have some concerns. The Government has already implemented the Tenant Fee Ban which caps the deposit at 5 weeks rent (if the total annual rent is less than £50,000). Landlords are prevented from taking a higher deposit in all circumstances and there are no special provisions or exemptions for pets.
Landlords and agents have attempted to circumvent the tenant fee legislation by increasing the rent for tenants with pets. 6 months into the ban. There now exists debate as to whether this is still in a breach of the legislation. ARLA are of the view that you can increase the rent. However Trading Standards (who have the ability to enforce the legislation) are of the opinion that taking increased rent for tenants with pets is wrong, and could be deemed a fee. They have advised to exercise caution, as the law is currently untested.
If a landlord does take on tenants with pets, it is advisable to have a signed pet policy setting out the terms upon which both parties agree, to protect the landlord and the property as much as possible. The team at Woodstock can assist with any pet clause or policy requirements, so please do not hesitate to contact.
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We are delighted to share that Woodstock Legal Services has been shortlisted for Conveyancing Firm of the Year - South of England at the Modern Law Conveyancing Awards 2026 . We are also proud to see Bethany Hudson , one of our Consultant Licensed Conveyancers, shortlisted for Rising Star of the Year. With our head office in Poole, Dorset, we are proud of our roots in the South West and the relationships we have built within the region’s property community. These shortlists recognise both the strength of our Residential Property team and the people behind the scenes who support our clients throughout their property journey. At Woodstock Legal Services, our focus has always been on building a conveyancing service that works for both our clients and our consultants. By bringing together experienced conveyancers with dedicated back-office support and the right infrastructure, we aim to make the process of buying and selling property as straightforward as possible, while giving our lawyers the flexibility and support to deliver excellent client care. Our connection to the South West remains an important part of who we are. Through relationships with local property professionals and organisations such as Poole Property Club , we continue to build connections within the property market while supporting clients across England and Wales. Over the past year, our Residential Property team has continued to grow, supported by investment in our people, processes and technology. Our dedicated back-office teams play an equally important role, helping keep transactions moving so our conveyancers can focus on their clients and the legal work that matters most. Being shortlisted for Conveyancing Firm of the Year in the South of England is a recognition of the collective effort behind our service, from the conveyancers working directly with clients to the teams supporting them behind the scenes. Car Jermyn Managing Director of Woodstock Legal Services, added: " I’m incredibly proud to see Woodstock Legal Services shortlisted for Conveyancing Firm of the Year and Bethany Hudson recognised as a Rising Star. Both awards reflect the quality of our lawyers and the commitment of the wider team supporting them. It’s great to see the work happening across our business recognised, particularly in the South of England, where our roots are firmly established. " A growing modern law firm As we continue to grow, we are always keen to speak with experienced lawyers who want to work differently, be properly supported, and be part of a collaborative community. Behind every successful consultant is the right firm. Click here to see why consultants choose Woodstock.
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