In England, no. A landlord cannot charge a separate pet deposit on top of the usual cap of 5 weeks’ rent (6 weeks if the yearly rent is £50,000 or more). They cannot make you buy pet insurance, and Shelter says they cannot ask for higher rent because you have a pet. Since 1 May 2026, private tenants in England can ask in writing to keep a pet, and the landlord cannot refuse without a fair reason.
Pet deposits in England
The Tenant Fees Act 2019 lists the only payments a landlord or agent in England can ask for. A refundable tenancy deposit is one of them, and it is capped. GOV.UK’s fees guidance says: “You cannot charge your tenant any payment that is not on this list.”
- Yearly rent under £50,000: deposit up to 5 weeks’ rent.
- Yearly rent of £50,000 to £100,000: up to 6 weeks’ rent.
There is no extra category for pets. Shelter’s legal guidance says: “The landlord cannot ask the tenant to pay more rent or pay a higher deposit because they have a pet. If a landlord takes a higher deposit, this is a banned fee and the tenant or local authority can take enforcement action.”
Shelter also notes that earlier versions of the Renters’ Rights Bill included pet insurance or extra pet deposit rules, “but these changes were not included in the Act when it became law”. Any extra fee to keep a pet after 1 May 2026 is a banned fee.
For how the cap is worked out, see five weeks’ rent deposit explained.
Pet rent and pet insurance
Pet rent. Landlords in England must now advertise a specific rent and must not accept higher bids. Shelter says: “If a landlord asks a prospective tenant to pay a higher rent because they have a pet, the landlord commits an offence.” It says penalties can be up to £7,000.
Pet insurance. GOV.UK’s fees guidance says it is a prohibited payment to require a tenant to “pay for insurance”. A tenant “can use a loan, insurance or contract if they choose to”. So you can choose to buy pet insurance, but your landlord cannot make it a condition. These rules come from the Tenant Fees Act and apply in England only.
Your right to ask for a pet in England
This right applies to private assured tenants. It does not apply to social tenants. GOV.UK’s guide for tenants explains how it works:
- Ask your landlord in writing, describing the pet: what kind of animal, how big, and how much room it needs.
- Your landlord has 28 days to respond in writing.
- If they ask for more information and you give it, they have the rest of the 28 days or an extra 7 days, whichever is later.
- They cannot refuse without a fair reason, and should explain any refusal.
- Once they agree, they cannot change their mind.
GOV.UK gives examples of reasonable refusals: someone you live with has an allergy, the property is too small, the pet is illegal to own, or the freeholder does not allow pets. Refusing just because they do not like pets, or because past tenants’ pets caused damage, would usually be unreasonable.
What happens if your pet causes damage
GOV.UK says your landlord can keep money from your deposit to cover repairs for pet damage. They may also claim on your pet insurance if you have it. But “they cannot claim for the same damage twice”, for example from both your insurance and your deposit.
Normal deposit rules still apply. The landlord must protect your deposit in a government-approved scheme, and you can dispute deductions you disagree with. See when do you get your deposit back.
Worked example (fictional)
Priya rents a flat in England for £1,100 a month. She has a cat. Her letting agent asks for a 5-week deposit plus a £300 “pet deposit”.
| Step | Sum | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Yearly rent | £1,100 × 12 | £13,200 (under £50,000, so the 5-week cap applies) |
| Weekly rent | £13,200 ÷ 52 | £253.85 |
| Maximum deposit | £13,200 ÷ 52 × 5 | £1,269.23 |
| What the agent asked for | £1,269.23 + £300 | £1,569.23 |
The total is £300 over the legal maximum. Priya can refuse the extra £300. If she has already paid it, she can ask for it back. All figures are fictional.
Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland
| Nation | Deposit limit | Pets |
|---|---|---|
| Scotland | Up to 2 months’ rent (mygov.scot) | Citizens Advice (Scotland advice) says you can keep pets unless your tenancy agreement forbids it and they do not cause a nuisance. It advises asking your landlord first. |
| Wales | No cap found. Welsh Government guidance (2019) says a “slightly higher” deposit for a pet “is permitted under the Act”. | Welsh Government says a pet clause in your contract should let you ask permission, and the landlord “would not be allowed to unreasonably refuse”. |
| Northern Ireland | Up to one month’s rent (nidirect) | We did not find a specific legal right to request a pet. Check your tenancy agreement. |
Check your deposit
Use the tenancy deposit calculator to find the legal maximum for your rent. If you have been asked for more because of a pet, you will see the difference straight away. For other costs before you move in, see upfront costs of renting in the UK.
Sources
- GOV.UK: Fees you can charge as part of a tenancy (England), checked 4 October 2026
- GOV.UK: Assured periodic tenancies, if you want a pet to live with you, checked 4 October 2026
- GOV.UK: Assured periodic tenancies, rent in advance and deposits, checked 4 October 2026
- Shelter Legal England: Pets in private rented accommodation, checked 4 October 2026
- Shelter England: Renting with pets, the rules and what’s changing, checked 4 October 2026
- mygov.scot: Paying rent and deposit, checked 4 October 2026
- Citizens Advice (advice for Scotland): Pets and service animals in rented homes, checked 4 October 2026
- Welsh Government: Renting homes, frequently asked questions (tenants), checked 4 October 2026
- Welsh Government: Renting Homes (Fees etc.) (Wales) Act 2019 guidance for tenants (PDF), checked 4 October 2026
- nidirect: Private rent and tenancies, checked 4 October 2026
This guide is general information, not legal or financial advice. Report a possible error.