A landlord must respond to a written pet request within 28 days. This is a legal requirement, not guidance, under Section 16A of the Housing Act 1988, inserted by the Renters’ Rights Act 2025. If your landlord fails to respond within the required time frame, it does not automatically mean you have permission to keep the pet, but it may amount to a failure to comply with their legal duties and you may be able to challenge their inaction.
What Counts as a Valid Pet Request?
The 28-day response period only begins once you’ve made a valid written request to keep a pet.
To avoid delays, your request should include:
- A clear statement that you’re asking for permission to keep a pet.
- The type of pet (for example, a dog, cat or rabbit).
- Basic details such as the breed, size or age where relevant.
- Any information that may reassure the landlord, such as vaccinations, training or pet insurance.
- Your contact details.
Keeping a copy of your request and proof that it was received can be important if there is later a dispute about when the deadline started.
When Does the 28-Day Deadline Start?
The landlord’s 28-day deadline begins when they receive your valid written request.
However, the law recognizes that some situations require additional time. The deadline may be extended where:
- The landlord reasonably asks you for further information about the pet.
- The landlord needs consent from a superior landlord or freeholder.
- You and your landlord agree in writing to extend the response period.
Outside these circumstances, landlords are expected to make their decision within the original 28-day period.
What Happens if My Landlord Doesn’t Respond in Time?
Missing the 28-day deadline does not automatically grant permission to keep your pet.
Instead, a landlord who fails to respond may be failing to comply with their statutory duty to deal with your request within the required time frame.
If your landlord ignores your request, you should first confirm that:
- They received your written request.
- They have not lawfully extended the deadline by requesting further information.
- They are not waiting for consent from a superior landlord.
If none of these apply and the deadline has passed, you can begin taking further steps to challenge the lack of response.
Does Silence Count as Approval or Refusal?
No.
A landlord’s silence is not treated as automatic consent under the Renters’ Rights Act.
Equally, simply ignoring a request is not an acceptable way to refuse permission. The law requires landlords to deal with pet requests properly and within the statutory time frame.
If they fail to do so, tenants may have grounds to challenge the failure through the appropriate legal or complaint process.
What Should I Do if the 28-Day Deadline Passes?
If your landlord has not responded within 28 days, follow these steps:
- Check your original request was sent in writing.
- Confirm the landlord received it.
- Check whether they requested additional information that you have not yet provided.
- Ask whether they are waiting for superior landlord or freeholder consent.
- Send a written reminder referring to the landlord’s duty under Section 16A of the Housing Act 1988.
- Keep copies of all emails, letters and responses.
- If the landlord continues to ignore your request or fails to provide a lawful response, consider using the Private Rented Sector Ombudsman where applicable or seeking independent legal advice about enforcing your rights.
Acting promptly and keeping clear records will strengthen your position if the dispute needs to be escalated.
Can My Landlord Ask for More Time?
Yes—but only in limited circumstances.
A landlord cannot simply ask for “another couple of weeks” because they are busy or have not yet made a decision.
An extension is only permitted where the law allows it, such as:
- They reasonably require more information about your pet.
- They need permission from a superior landlord or freeholder.
- You agree to extend the deadline.
If none of these situations apply, the landlord should respond within the original 28 days.
What Doesn’t Change the Legal Deadline?
Some common explanations do not remove the landlord’s legal obligation to respond on time.
These include:
“I forgot.”
Forgetting to respond is not a lawful reason for missing the deadline.
“I’m still thinking about it.”
The landlord must make their decision within the statutory time frame unless a lawful extension applies.
“I’ll reply when I have time.”
Being busy does not suspend the legal deadline.
Responding without giving any real reason
Where a landlord refuses permission, they should provide reasons that can be assessed against the legal requirement not to unreasonably refuse consent.
What Law Sets the 28-Day Deadline?
The requirement comes from Section 16A of the Housing Act 1988, inserted by the Renters’ Rights Act 2025.
Landlords must consider written pet requests and respond within the statutory time frame. They may grant limited extensions only when additional information or third-party consent is genuinely needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can my landlord ignore my pet request?
No. Landlords have a legal duty to deal with valid written pet requests within the time frame set by law. Ignoring the request may amount to a breach of that duty.
Can I get my pet after 28 days if my landlord says nothing?
No. Silence does not automatically give you permission to keep a pet. You should follow the appropriate steps to challenge the landlord’s failure to respond.
Does asking for more information restart the 28-day period?
The law allows extending the response period when the landlord reasonably requests additional information. The timing will depend on when that information is provided.
What if the landlord says the freeholder has not replied?
If the landlord genuinely requires consent from a superior landlord or freeholder, the legislation allows additional time. However, they should still keep you informed and act reasonably while seeking that consent.
Final Thoughts
The Renters’ Rights Act gives tenants stronger protection when requesting permission to keep a pet, including a clear legal deadline for landlords to respond. If that deadline passes without a proper response, do not assume you have permission, and do not accept that the landlord ignores you.
For a complete guide to pet rights under the Renters’ Rights Act, including unreasonable refusals, pet insurance, freeholder consent and practical examples, read our main Landlord Refusing Pets guide.