UK: Renters’ Rights Bill to enhance pet protection from next summer

The proposed act, aimed at strengthening protections for pet-owning tenants, has gained momentum after being reintroduced to Parliament last week.

The bill, which is expected to enter into force by summer 2025, requires landlords to consider tenants’ requests to keep pets and obtain insurance for pet-related damages.

It also sets a timeline for them to respond and allows tenants to challenge unfair decisions in court or through the Private Rented Sector Ombudsman. This new service will help resolve rental disputes without involving the courts.

A key provision in the bill is the abolition of Section 21, under which residents can be removed from their housing when a fixed-term tenancy ends or during a rolling tenancy.

Next steps

The bill is awaiting its second reading in the House of Commons and may be amended during committee review.

The UK’s Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA) has previously welcomed the bill, calling it a “potentially positive move for the welfare of pets and their owners.”