Can a landlord still say no to a pet?

Yes, but only with a specific, reasonable reason for that case, such as a superior lease that forbids pets. A blanket 'no pets' policy is not lawful, and you may require pet damage insurance instead of refusing.

What about applicants on benefits or with children?

Blanket exclusions such as 'No DSS' or 'No children' are not allowed. Assess everyone on the same objective affordability and suitability criteria and record the basis for your decision.

Why does the documentation matter?

If a tenant complains to the Ombudsman, a clear, dated decision record showing you considered the request fairly is your best evidence. The demo produces that record and a draft response.

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Landlords and property managers

Pet & Tenant Request Logger

A documented decision behind every request

Turn a pet or tenant request into a defensible, documented decision and a draft response, compliant with the consider-fairly rule.

Renters’ Rights ActProtected characteristicsPet requestsOmbudsman readiness

Tenants can request a pet the landlord cannot unreasonably refuse, and blanket bans on benefits and children are not allowed. Produces a documented, defensible decision and a draft response, ready for the Ombudsman.

The Pet & Tenant Request Logger turns a pet or tenant request into a documented, defensible decision and a draft response. It applies the Act's consider-fairly, cannot-unreasonably-refuse test and keeps an audit trail for the Ombudsman.

Illustrative data

Demo 08 · Landlords & property managers

Pet & Tenant Request Logger

Pick a request and get a documented, defensible decision and a draft response, in line with the ‘consider fairly, cannot unreasonably refuse’ rule.

Pick a request to log a decision.

The Act says you must consider fairly and cannot unreasonably refuse.

Regulatory context

Reflects the Renters' Rights Act 2025 right to request a pet (cannot be unreasonably refused, insurance may be required) and the ban on blanket exclusions of benefits or children.

Questions, answered plainly