Around four million renters in England have welcomed, or intend to welcome, a pet during 2026 following changes introduced by the Renters’ Rights Act, according to Simply Business.
Its research found that 44% of tenants have already acquired or plan to acquire a pet this year, with 12% acting within weeks of the reforms taking effect on 1 May.
Under the legislation, tenants can request permission to keep a pet and landlords must consider each request individually. Permission cannot be unreasonably refused, although landlords can protect themselves against the risk of pet-related damage.
Younger tenants are driving the trend. Some 18% of renters aged between 25 and 34 acquired a pet shortly after the reforms, while a further 37% intend to do so this year. By contrast, 64% of renters aged over 55 have no plans to get one.
The research suggests most pet-owning tenants are taking steps to protect their rented homes, with 93% adopting at least one precaution. More than half regularly deep-clean their property, 39% use gates to keep animals out of particular rooms and 38% have fitted machine-washable sofa covers or other furniture protection. Dogs are the most popular choice, selected by 58% of new pet owners, compared with 43% choosing a cat.
Alex Woolf, landlord insurance product lead at Simply Business, said: “Our research shows that renters are paws-itively delighted to welcome new pets into their homes! It’s reassuring to see how responsibly renters are approaching this shift, but even with precautions, unexpected damage can happen. With pet deposits no longer an option under recent reforms, landlords need alternative solutions.”
The insurance firm has now launched a Pet Property Damage insurance for landlords, providing cover for up to £5,000, with no excess, for accidential damage to fixtures and fittings caused by pets.
Julie Fisher, UK CEO at Simply Business, commented: “With the Renters Rights Bill fundamentally changing the landscape for landlords and tenants, we want to ensure our customers feel protected against new risks. Committed to helping landlords navigate these regulatory changes with confidence, our new Pet Property Damage cover provides a solution that helps protect their investment while accommodating the growing number of tenants who want to own a pet. ”
