Katie Fisher’s experience with pet rent highlights a growing trend in the private rental market, sparking debate among tenants and landlords over fairness and rights.
Katie Fisher’s recent experience in securing a rental flat in south-east London underscores a growing trend in the private rental market where tenants are increasingly required to pay additional fees for the privilege of keeping pets. Initially facing rejection because of her dog, Fisher managed to negotiate a £50 increase in monthly rent, thereby bringing the total rent for the two-bedroom flat to £1,450. Such arrangements, commonly referred to as “pet rent,” are becoming more typical in privately rented properties across England.
The issue of pet-related surcharges was brought to the fore when Taiwo Owatemi, Labour MP for Coventry North West, disclosed her own experience of a £900 pet surcharge related to her cockapoo, Bella, in her Plumstead home. Legislation in England, specifically the Tenant Fees Act, makes it illegal for landlords to impose one-off charges or deposits above the five-week rent threshold for tenants with pets, yet increasing monthly rent is permissible. A spokesperson from the Dogs Trust commented, “landlords can increase the rent for a property at any time, ostensibly for any reason.”
Tenants often find themselves facing “pet rent” that ranges between £25 and £100 a month, in addition to standard deposits. Giles Peaker, a housing lawyer at Anthony Gold Solicitors, noted that while landlords can charge additional rent, there is no established rate, making negotiations and agreements highly variable.
Some tenants, like Natalie Jacson, have expressed concerns regarding the fairness of such additional charges; Jacson pays an extra £100 monthly for her French spaniel, which she believes is excessive. “I think the additional charge is completely disproportionate,” she stated. Conversely, a tenant named Frankie shared her experience of having to provide a reference for her cat, Buddy, rather than facing extra charges, arguing that landlords can claim any necessary repairs through the deposit.
Currently, many landlords maintain blanket “no pets” policies, effectively limiting renters’ options when searching for pet-friendly homes. Ben Twomey, chief executive of Generation Rent, commented on the challenging market conditions for pet owners, indicating that a high demand for pet-friendly accommodation often forces renters to pay higher rents or, in some instances, to make difficult personal sacrifices regarding their pets.
However, the forthcoming renters’ rights bill aims to address the situation by mandating landlords to consider tenant requests for pets, with the possibility of refusal only if they have a valid reason. Harriet Main, of the RSPCA public affairs team, expressed optimism about the bill, suggesting it could improve the situation for prospective pet owners in rental accommodation. Alongside this, a spokesperson from the National Residential Landlords Association emphasised the importance of landlords assessing requests for pets on an individual basis.
In a separate but related incident, Chloe, a tenant facing eviction in a rather unusual scenario, was told by her landlord, Martin, that she must vacate her flat “immediately” as he planned to convert it into an Airbnb for more profitable returns. Engaging in a back-and-forth through emails, Chloe questioned the legitimacy of the eviction, highlighting a potential breach of contract due to the inadequate notice provided and the lack of a valid reason for her eviction.
Despite Martin’s proposals of financial compensation and offers to expedite her deposit refund, Chloe insisted on her rights under the tenancy agreement, which required a two-month notice period before any eviction could take place. Escalating tensions between the two reached a level that prompted Chloe to involve the Property Ombudsman and local authorities. Ultimately, Martin reversed his eviction demand and confirmed Chloe could remain in her home “for as long as she likes.” Nonetheless, Chloe has decided to leave once her lease expires, expressing a desire to distance herself from what she termed a “toxic” landlord environment.
As interactions between landlords and tenants continue to be scrutinised, both instances highlight the complex dynamics at play in the rental market, particularly concerning the treatment of tenants wishing to keep pets and the motivations that inform landlords’ decisions.
Source: Noah Wire Services
- https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm5804/cmpublic/RentersReform/memo/RRB26.htm – This URL supports claims about the growing issue of pet homelessness due to prohibitive rental agreements and the demand for pet-friendly housing. It also discusses proposed changes in the Renters Reform Bill to address these issues.
- https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/animal-sentience-committee-renters-reform-bill-report/animal-sentience-committee-renters-reform-bill-report – This report from the Animal Sentience Committee explores the implications of the Renters Reform Bill on animal welfare and pet ownership in the private rented sector.
- https://bdch.org.uk/files/The_Financial_Impact_Pet_Ownership_Rental_Properties.pdf – This document by Battersea Dogs & Cats Home discusses the financial impact of pet ownership in rental properties, highlighting how pet-friendly policies can affect landlords and tenants.
- https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2019/15/contents – The Tenant Fees Act is referenced in discussions about landlords being unable to impose one-off charges or excessive deposits for pets, but this URL provides access to the act itself.
- https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/national-residential-landlords-association – This URL leads to information about the National Residential Landlords Association, which is mentioned as emphasizing the importance of assessing pet requests individually.
- https://www.rspca.org.uk/whatwedo/latest/campaigns – The RSPCA’s campaigns section may include information on advocacy for pet welfare in rental properties, aligning with the optimism expressed about forthcoming legislation.
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
9
Notes:
The narrative references recent events in 2025, suggesting it is contemporary. There are no clear indications of being out of date or recycled news.
Quotes check
Score:
8
Notes:
Quotes are provided but sources and dates are not explicitly mentioned for verification. This indicates the quotes are likely original to the narrative unless they have appeared elsewhere.
Source reliability
Score:
10
Notes:
The narrative originates from The Guardian, which is a reputable publication known for its journalistic integrity.
Plausability check
Score:
9
Notes:
Claims about pet rent and rental market trends align with current societal issues and are plausible given the legal context in England.
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): PASS
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): HIGH
Summary:
The narrative is fresh, originating from a reliable source, and its claims are plausible. While direct quotes lack explicit sourcing, the narrative itself appears credible and accurately reflects current issues in the UK rental market.
