Private Tenants | Cat-friendly Rentals

Renting with cats? Find a cat-friendly landlord.

For too many people who rent, owning a cat has been a distant dream. Faced with a rental market that has frequently operated blanket ‘no pets’ policies, for some owning a cat has seemed impossible. But after years of campaigning by Cats Protection and other animal welfare organisations, the Renters' Rights Act now makes it easier for private tenants in England to have a pet.

This is a huge success that will help more people experience the joy of owning a cat. But there is still work to be done to help cats stay in loving homes. Find out more about what the new law means for you.

Long-haired ginger tabby cat on grey bedding

What’s the law on having a cat in a rented property? 

From 1 May 2026, the Renters’ Rights Act gives private tenants in England who currently rent a flat or house the right to make a written request to keep a pet. This request cannot be unreasonably refused by the landlord.

We expect that requests for a single cat will almost always be reasonable and should be accepted. 

The landlord cannot refuse a request simply because they don’t like cats or are concerned about the damage cats may cause to the property.

Circumstances when it may be reasonable for landlords to refuse a request include:

another tenant has an allergy to cats
the property is too small for the number of cats requested. This shouldn’t apply to a request for a single cat
if the landlord is a leaseholder, and the freeholder (the owner of the building) doesn’t allow pets

How do I ask my landlord if I can have a cat?  

If you would like to have a cat, you can make a written request to your landlord, either by letter or email. To help you, we’ve created a template you can use to make your request.

Your request must be specific so that your landlord has enough information to consider it. Include as much detail as possible about the cat you would like and how you will be a responsible cat owner. You could include:

key details about the cat you would like, such as age, breed, vaccination and neutering status
how you’ll care for the cat and how you’ll protect the property
reassurance about cleaning, damage prevention and responsible ownership

If you already know which cat you want, you could also create a CV for them and send this with your request letter. We’ve created a cat CV template you can use.

You’ll need to make a separate request for each cat you want to own, and your landlord will have to consider each request individually. 

The landlord must respond to your request in writing within 28 days. They may request more information from you. Once you have provided this information, they then have a further seven days to respond to you.

It’s a good idea to keep a copy of all correspondence and note response deadlines, so you have evidence in the event of any dispute arising.

Download our cat request template

Download our cat CV template

Can Cats Protection help me find a suitable cat for a rented property?

We’re here to help you find your perfect match for your rented home. Cats make fantastic pets and can thrive in many types of homes. From cosy flats to houses with gardens, the right match depends on the individual cat’s personality and needs. 

While many cats will enjoy having access to the great outdoors, others may be better suited to indoor living, making them ideal for flats or homes without gardens. Cats who are blind, deaf or have some other disability may be best kept as indoor cats, while other cats with certain illnesses can lead happy, contented lives indoors.

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What if my landlord refuses my request or doesn’t respond?

If your landlord refuses your request and you believe your request was reasonable, or if they don’t respond within the 28-day timeframe, you can submit a complaint to your landlord or apply to the court to start proceedings against them.   

If you get a cat without your landlord’s permission, you may be breaking the terms of your tenancy agreement. This could result in eviction or added fees.

Will I need to pay a pet deposit?

Your landlord is not entitled to require an additional deposit to cover damage caused by your pet. The law states that your landlord can ask you for a general security deposit which cannot be more than the equivalent of five weeks’ rent in total. This also relates to any deposit you’ve already paid. Your deposit must be held in a Tenancy Deposit Scheme. Your landlord can withhold some of the deposit at the end of the tenancy if there has been damage caused by your cat.

I already have a cat and I’m moving into a rented property. Can I keep my cat?

Unfortunately, the Renters’ Rights Act only applies to private tenants who are already renting a property. If you’re a pet owner looking to rent a new home, the landlord can refuse to rent to you without giving a reason.  

We hope that the new law will create a cultural shift and encourage more landlords to consider allowing pets. And we’ll continue to campaign for more cat-friendly rentals across the UK.

If you’re having trouble finding a property where you can keep your cat, you could try:

picking up the phone. Many adverts may state ‘no pets’, and this can be off-putting. But in some cases, a landlord might be flexible once you approach them. Try phoning local letting agents and landlords and explain your situation. By reassuring them that you’re a responsible owner and your cat has been neutered, microchipped, vaccinated and treated for fleas, some may be happy to give permission. Since landlords will have to consider requests for pets from current tenants, they may be more accommodating to prospective tenants too.
putting together a cat CV. This can tell prospective landlords about your cat. It should include vet records so they can see the cat has been neutered, microchipped, vaccinated and protected against fleas and other parasites. It may also include a photograph of your cat, details about your cat’s character, how they like to spend their time, if they use a litter tray and how they interact with people and animals. If possible, provide a pet reference from a previous landlord to confirm the cat has not caused damage. Download our cat CV template
asking for help. If you need to move and still haven’t found a property, try asking a trusted friend or family member if they can temporarily look after your cat. It may give you some time to find a more suitable home. Once you are in a rented property, you can then request to keep a pet. Under the Renters’ Rights Act, this request cannot be unreasonably refused by the landlord

Having to rehome a cat because you can’t find a rented property that accepts cats can be a heart-breaking experience. If you still feel unable to keep your cat, we're here to help. Get in touch with us for support and advice.

What’s the law in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland?

The Renters’ Rights Act only applies to private tenants renting in England.

Scotland. The Scottish Housing Act will gives tenants the right to ask to keep a pet, and landlords will not be able to unreasonably refuse. Landlords will have 30 days to decide once a request is made. Further legislation is needed before this new law comes into force
Wales. Although the Renting Homes (Wales) Act 2016 guidance says landlords should not unreasonably refuse requests to keep a pet, it does not make pet ownership the legal default. Blanket ‘no-pet’ adverts remain common and securing suitable accommodation continues to be difficult for responsible pet owners. Although landlords and contract-holders can agree additional pet terms, these must comply with the Consumer Rights Act 2015 and allow tenants to request permission to keep a pet without unreasonable refusal. Renting is governed by the Welsh Government’s ‘Renting Homes’ system. Pets are treated as an additional term that must be agreed upon between the landlord and the tenant. There’s no formal cap on deposits, but the standard is usually one month’s rent. You could discuss a small increase to cover pets, within reason. This can also be discussed mid tenancy
Northern Ireland. There are currently no laws encouraging landlords to allow pets. The Private Tenancies (NI) Act 2022 prohibits landlords from requesting taking deposits higher than one month’s rent, which excludes the possibility of a pet deposit

Boy and Badger's story

When Anna and wife Mhairi moved to Bristol in 2017, they were looking forward to the birth of their first child and life in a new city.

But first they faced the major challenge of finding a new rented home where they could keep cats Boy and Badger.

Anna explained: “We had major difficulties finding somewhere, as so many adverts all stated ‘no pets’ and many places wouldn’t even let us book a viewing once we told them about the cats. Sometimes it was best to arrange to see a property first in the hope of meeting a landlord or letting agent so they could see we were sensible people and responsible pet owners, before then asking about the cats. Eventually, we found a brilliant private landlord that would take the cats which was a huge relief.”

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Boy and Badger's story

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