Pets, discrimination and tenant requests: how to respond properly

Tenants now have a statutory right to request a pet, and you can only refuse with a valid reason. Separately, it is now unlawful to refuse or disadvantage applicants because they have children or receive benefits. Both changes reward the same habit: respond case by case, in writing, with reasons.

Pets: what a proper response looks like

• Consider each request individually. A blanket no-pets policy is exactly what the Act removes.
• Refusals need a valid reason: think a head lease that genuinely prohibits animals, or a property plainly unsuitable for the specific pet.
• The government's roadmap references a 28-day window for responding, so do not sit on requests.
• Put the decision and the reasons in writing, whichever way it goes.

One myth worth killing: the version of the Bill that required tenants to hold pet insurance did not survive. The Act as passed contains no insurance condition, so do not make consent conditional on it.

Children and benefits

Adverts, listing criteria and screening practices that exclude families or benefit recipients are now unlawful. You can still reference and assess affordability for any applicant on their actual circumstances. What you cannot do is operate a category ban.

Every request answered individually, in writing, with reasons. That habit satisfies the Act and wins arguments before they start.

General guidance, not legal advice; the detail lives on GOV.UK. If your tenancy templates or letting criteria predate May 2026, our free compliance review will flag anything that now needs rewording.

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