Tenants wanting to keep a pet

3 min read

It’s never advisable to keep a pet in a property without the landlord’s consent. If you have taken on a pet, speak to your landlord straight away. They may give you written permission to keep it, if you meet certain conditions to show you are a responsible owner.

Here are some ways you can show you are responsible pet owner:

Write a pet CV

Include the contact details of your veterinary practice, proof of microchipping, details of vaccinations, flea and worming treatments, any training courses attended, and someone who can care for your pet in an emergency. Click here to see an example of a pet CV. 

Pet care

Blue Cross can offer veterinary care to pets when the owners cannot afford the fees.

The RSPCA offers low cost veterinary care to those that qualify

For a low monthly fee, PDSA Pet Care Scheme offers low-income households, receiving Housing benefit and Council tax support or Universal Credit with Housing Element and Council Tax Support, access to:

• One vet health consultation
• One vaccination or booster every year, including a pet wellbeing MOT or health check.
• 20% discount on full-price vet treatments
• PDSA Helpline – 24/7 pet care advice from qualified vet nurses, whenever you need it
• 15% discount on PDSA Petsurance
• A quarterly newsletter packed with useful pet health advice

Get a reference

If the pet has been part of a renting household before, provide a reference from a previous owner or a landlord. This can help show it is well behaved and has not previously caused any problems. 

Arrange a meeting

If you have chosen a particular pet, you may put your landlord’s mind at ease by introducing them to the animal first. 

Agree to train your dog

The Institute of Modern Do Trainer’s website provides details of qualified trainers in your area. Puppy and dog behavioural training can be done in groups which can reduce cost.

The following websites also provide helpful hints and tips to train and manage cats and dogs:

• Dogs Trust
• Cats Protection

Update your tenancy agreement

If your landlord has given you permission to keep a pet in your property, make sure you get it in writing. You should ask for a clause to be added to your tenancy agreement, which contains the things that you have agreed on. Make sure that any ‘No Pets’ clauses are revoked to prevent problems from arising in future. Some landlords write into the tenancy agreement the number and size of pets allowed in the property, such as 2 dog policy and under 20kg each, and state they must be kept pest free and a deep clean must be carried out if you ever leave the property.  

What to do if your landlord says you cannot keep a pet

There are other opportunities to be around animals if you are not permitted to keep one at home, such as pet sitting, offering to walk a friend or family member’s dog or registering with Borrow My Doggy and connect with dog owners in your area and walk their pets for them.  

Volunteer for an animal rescue or rehoming charity, such as Blue Cross, RSPCA, National Animal Welfare Trust (NAWT) 

Many wildlife charities will provide an adoption certificate, cuddly toy, and updates/newsletters, all for a small fee. You will be helping important conversation work too. If you adopt an animal at Beale Park you will receive a mug, a complimentary ticket each year, regular updates, an adoption certificate, and your name on the adoption board at the park. Visit WWF, Born Free, Chester Zoo for example for more information.