Dogs Trust Calls for proposed pet-friendly policies to be extended to social housing tenants

Dogs Trust, the UK’s largest dog welfare charity, is calling on the Government to extend proposed pet-friendly rental rights to include social housing tenants. The Renters’ Rights Bill, currently under its third reading, aims to provide greater rights for pet owners in the private rental sector, but these changes do not apply to social housing.

Under the proposed legislation, private sector tenants in England would have the right to request permission to keep a pet, with landlords prohibited from unreasonably refusing such requests. However, no similar provisions have been made for tenants in social housing.

Dogs Trust is encouraging supporters to sign a letter to Angela Rayner, Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, asking for equal pet ownership rights for social housing tenants. The charity emphasises the need to end what it describes as a “lottery of pet-friendly accommodation.” The letter can be signed at the charity’s website.

The issue of restrictive pet policies in rental housing has long been a focus for Dogs Trust. In 2023, the charity received over 45,000 handover enquiries from dog owners unable to keep their pets, with approximately 15% citing housing-related issues, including the lack of pet-friendly rental options.

Dogs Trust’s campaign highlights the emotional and practical difficulties faced by renters forced to give up their pets, urging the Government to consider the wellbeing of responsible pet owners and their animals across all housing sectors.

Research by Dogs Trust and Cats Protection shows that while 46% of private landlords say they allow pets, only 30% of tenants report that their tenancy agreements permit dogs. The same research revealed that in over a third of cases where pets were not allowed, landlords had not made a decision based on individual circumstances but rather followed generic advice or used standard templates.

Claire Calder, Head of Public Affairs at Dogs Trust, said, “We are pleased that the Renters’ Rights Bill will improve opportunities for tenants in the private rental sector to enjoy the companionship and benefits of pet ownership. However, we believe that there should be stronger rights for those renting from social housing providers too.

“While some social housing providers are already making positive strides towards being pet-friendly, finding suitable accommodation remains a lottery, with availability often dependent on your location and which provider you’re with. This is unfair. We need a baseline in legislation that ensures all social housing tenants can request a pet without fear of unreasonable refusal.”

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