Renters are rushing to get pets after a new law from the Labour government came into force last month. The Renters Rights Act, which took effect in May 2026, has introduced new protections for tenants and prohibits landlords from discriminating against people with pets.
Surge in pet insurance policies
Waggel, a pet insurance provider, has reported a 26% increase in new policies since the bill came into force, compared to the six months prior. In May alone, an additional 20,000 people visited Waggel seeking quotes, up from April. The company noted a 28% rise in new dog policies, while cat policies increased by 17%.
Hannah Simpson, Chief Product Officer at Waggel, said: "It’s great to see the new legislation allowing so many people to welcome pets into their homes. Animal companionship can be incredibly rewarding, and has been proven to be beneficial for people’s mental and physical well-being, so denying people this lifeline because they don’t own their own home was terribly unfair. It’s clear from this flurry of new pet owners that thousands of people have been counting down until the new Bill came in last month."
Changes under the Renters Rights Act
In 2021, the government reissued its Model Tenancy Agreement with a default position allowing pets, requiring landlords to object in writing within 28 days of a written request and to provide a "good reason" for refusal. The Renters Rights Act now places this principle on a statutory footing. It provides that tenants must seek prior written consent to keep a pet, and landlords must not unreasonably withhold or delay such requests.
Each request must be considered on its individual merits, taking into account factors such as the suitability of the property and the tenant’s ability to care responsibly for the animal. Although the Model Tenancy Agreement itself is not mandatory, the Act effectively incorporates its core principles into law for assured tenancies.
