The Renters’ Rights Act 2025 is being widely promoted as a major step forward for tenants, particularly those renting with pets. In principle, giving tenants the right to request a pet and preventing landlords from refusing without a valid, evidence-based reason, feels like long overdue progress.
But as with most housing reform, the real impact is not just in the legislation itself, but in how the private rented sector adapts.
And one quiet but growing trend is already emerging: the rise of the “naked rental”.
RENTING WITH PETS: SHIFTING RISK IN THE PRIVATE RENTED SECTOR
Under the Renters’ Rights Act, landlords must consider pet requests fairly. For many landlords, this represents a significant shift in perceived risk, particularly when combined with capped deposits, limits on rent paid in advance, increased compliance obligations, and the abolition of Section 21.
At the same time, pet ownership in the UK has risen sharply, and while many landlords are open to pets, concerns remain around damage, odours and disputes over what constitutes fair wear and tear.
Rather than resisting pet requests outright, many landlords are choosing to change the property itself.
WHAT IS A “NAKED RENTAL”?
Properties are increasingly being let with no carpets, no curtains or blinds, and no soft furnishings. Just a clean, functional shell.
Local authorities have rented properties this way for decades to reduce maintenance costs and avoid repeated replacement of fixtures. What is new is private landlords adopting the same model in response to changing rental laws.
WHY LANDLORDS ARE STRIPPING PROPERTIES BACK
- Hard floors are easier to clean and repair.
- No fabric reduces the risk of pet damage.
- Turnaround costs between tenancies are lower.
- Fewer disputes over deposits and dilapidations.
In a market where landlords feel increasingly exposed, the “naked rental” is a defensive strategy, not a statement against pets or tenants.
THE UNINTENDED IMPACT ON TENANTS
With rent in advance capped at one month, tenants moving into unfurnished or stripped-back properties may need to fund flooring, curtains or blinds, furniture and appliances themselves.
For students, young professionals, and people relocating to the UK , this can mean hundreds or even thousands of pounds upfront.
Landlords rarely operate two systems. Once a property is stripped back, it’s likely to stay that way, pet or no pet.
A CHANGING DEFINITION OF “HOME”
The Renters’ Rights Act may open more doors to tenants renting with pets but what sits behind those doors may be less homely, more utilitarian, and more expensive to personalise.
Every reform changes behaviour, and sadly not always in the way intended.
PETS LETS COMMENTARY
At Pets Lets , we support sensible reform and responsible pet ownership. But legislation alone doesn’t secure pet-friendly homes. Preparation does. In a market where landlords are adapting defensively, tenants with pets need to present themselves clearly, professionally and realistically. Renting with pets has never been about entitlement. It’s about understanding how landlords think and meeting them there.
I’m Russell Hunt, Founder of Pets Lets , a UK property consultancy specialising in pet-friendly rentals and set up the Relocating to the UK with Pets Facebook Group
With nearly 30 years’ experience in the London property market, I help clients from the UK and overseas find homes where both they and their pets are truly welcome.
