For assured tenancies covered by the new rules, a tenant can make a written request to keep a pet and the landlord must consider it reasonably.
The deadline
The landlord normally has 28 days to respond in writing. If more information is reasonably needed, the landlord can ask for it. Once the tenant provides that information, the final response deadline is adjusted under the statutory timing rules.
Keep the decision, not just the answer
Whether the answer is yes or no, retain the request, any further questions, the information supplied and the written decision. That chronology is far more useful than a tenancy agreement with a generic “no pets” sentence.
Read the official pet-request guidance on GOV.UK
Source: Official GOV.UK guidance. Last reviewed 2 September 2026.