New law means millions more renters will be able to own a pet

Mars, a leading pet care company behind brands including PEDIGREE® and WHISKAS®, together with long-term charity partner Battersea Dogs & Cats Home, are celebrating the news that the Renters’ Rights Act comes into effect this Friday 1st May 2026. The landmark legislation gives renters in England the freedom to request pets in their homes which landlords cannot unreasonably refuse, providing the welcome opportunity for more people to own a pet.

This is a pivotal milestone for animal loving renters, with research commissioned by Mars revealing that almost a third (31%3) say housing rules have previously stopped them owning a pet and for those that do own a pet, the landscape has been extremely difficult to navigate. Almost half (48%3) of pet owners in rental properties had to move in order to get or keep their pet due to rental housing restrictions, with a fifth (20%3) having to offer their landlord more financial compensation to keep their pet.

By removing barriers for renters to own pets, the new law signifies a major shift in access to pet ownership. Up until now, just 7%4of rental properties were advertised as ‘pet friendly’, but the new law means that more than 4 million2 homes across England could now be open to pets. Mars’ State of Pet Homelessness Index estimates that 1.1 million dogs and cats are homeless in the UK, representing 5% of the companion animal population and so this new legislation creates a significant opportunity to help create new homes for those animals currently in rescue or without a home.

While there are many pets in need of a loving home, it’s not just our furry friends that benefit. Mars and Battersea have long championed how pets can enhance people’s lives and believe the Act will make a tangible difference to the renting experience, with 83%6 of all pet owners in the UK saying that their pets have a positive impact on wellbeing. In addition, a third (33%3) say a pet does or would add structure and purpose to their lives, 30%3 say pets encourage them to do exercise and 82%7 of pet owning tenants say having a pet helps them feel more at home in their rented property.

However, more than a third (35%3) of renters say they don’t know anything about their new rights to request a pet under the Act. To help with this, Mars and Battersea Dogs & Cats Home are on a mission to raise awareness for what the new legislation means for tenants who are current or potential pet owners.

To support renters and landlords as new rules are introduced for renting with pets, Mars and Battersea have released the ‘Renting with Pets Guide’, offering clear and practical guidance. From helping tenants to create a “pet profile” to share with their landlord, to highlighting the best way to request a pet in their property, the guide aims to help both tenants and landlords navigate the new legislation, creating a more flexible, mutually beneficial rental experience. The new changes brought forward in the Renters’ Rights Act mark another pivotal moment in Mars’ BETTER CITIES FOR PETS™ programme, designed to help more cities become pet-friendly through more green spaces, and more places to live, work and play with pets.

Nick Foster, General Manager North Europe, Mars Pet Nutrition, said: “Pets really do make a house a home and we’re incredibly proud to work with our long-term partners at Battersea to help bring about this important change in the law. The Government’s decision to remove unnecessary barriers to pet ownership for renters recognises just how much it means to people and families across the country – and we’re so pleased that this opens the door to more people than ever being able to experience the happiness and wellbeing benefits that come from being a pet parent.”

Peter Laurie, CEO of Battersea Dogs & Cats Home, said: “For too long, the inability to rent with pets has been a heartbreaking barrier for so many responsible owners and the second most common reason pets are handed over to us at Battersea. This change in the law is a hugely positive step forward, recognising that pets are not a ‘nice to have’, but an integral part of people’s lives and wellbeing. We’re incredibly proud to be working alongside Mars on this issue, and hopeful that the Renters’ Rights Act will help more pets find – and stay in – loving homes, without families having to make impossible choices.”