Do you want your pet to live with you?

A fish in a fish bowl, two people walking their dogs and a woman stroking a cat

People have lots of different kinds of pets.

Cats
Dogs
Rabbits
Fish and turtles and lots more!

A man is standing outside a semi detached house talking to one of the people who live there.

You can ask your landlord if your pet can live with you if you rent your home privately

Renting privately means you pay money to the person who owns the home you live in.

It is different if you rent from the council or a housing association.

A house next to a hand with a lot of money in it

You pay them to live there.

A pile of money, a tenancy agreement and pen, and a house

This money is called your rent.

A woman in a red beanie hat is writing something down at a desk

What happens if I ask my landlord if I can have a pet?

If you’ve already moved into your home, write to your landlord to ask if you can have a pet.

Two women are sitting at a desk, one is helping the other fill out a form

You could ask a family member or someone you know to help you.

A woman pointing to a piece of paper which has the numbers 1 to 5 on it.

Your landlord should only say no if they have a good reason.

A good reason could be if you live in a very small flat and want to get a very big dog.

A woman is talking to her landlord in her home

If you have not moved into your home yet, ask your landlord if you can have a pet before you move in.

What if I have an assistance dog?

Your landlord must let your assistance dog live with you.

An assistance dog is a highly trained dog that helps someone with a disability do things they may find difficult. They are working animals rather than pets and they have to meet the criteria in the Equality Act.

A handful of cash next to a green upward arrow

Can my landlord charge me extra money for my pet?

No. Your landlord cannot ask you for extra money if your pet lives with you.

A man with his hands out explaining something and another man looking at him and listening.

If your landlord says you cannot have a pet

Ask to speak to your landlord about why you cannot have a pet.

Ask the landlord to write down why.

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Visit the government website if you want to read the law about pets in private housing

A woman with a headset and a speech bubble which has an image of a signpost inside

Contact the Learning Disability Helpline if you need more help.