One of the biggest frustrations we hear from Americans and international renters moving to London with pets is this: “Agents just stop replying to us.” No call back. No email response. No viewing offered. Nothing. It is happening a lot with people relocating from the US with their pets.
I have regular clients with pets, looking to move with their jobs or just start a new life across the Atlantic in the UK.
Most of them say, we saw this great property on Rightmove, enquired about it, heard nothing and the next moment it’s been either removed from the site or say ‘let agreed’. We don’t stand a chance of finding anywhere decent.
At Pets Lets we regularly speak to tenants relocating to London with dogs or cats who are shocked by how difficult it can be to even start conversations with letting agents.
Why do Estate Agents ‘Ghost’ Tenants?
Really easy. It’s all about supply and demand. There are not enough rental properties on the London or UK rental market.
Many agents are reactive. They don’t need to chase new enquiries, they come to them. They can pick and choose their best people, their ‘A-list’. It’s true, I was an agent many years ago.
Agents want to get paid. So would you get your UK based tenant who has a good income, young professional who can move quickly, or the person in say the US, who is relocating to the UK with a dog and is getting their friend or relative to view on their behalf?
Answer is the UK based tenant who can view really quickly, get the deal agreed and they get the paid commission and not their colleagues.
Even under the new Renters’ Rights Act framework, agents and landlords still have considerable discretion around tenant selection.
And with landlords increasingly nervous about arrears, property damage, complaints, eviction difficulties, and changing legislation, the market has become more cautious, not less.
Excuse the pun, but sadly estate agency is a ‘dog eat dog’ world!
Do Estate Agents listen?
Don’t get me wrong, some agents are great listeners. However, there are particular agencies, where it is all about the ‘numbers through the doors’.
We had a US client the other week walk into one of their offices open on a Sunday. They registered, outlined what they were looking for. An agent then got in touch on the Monday proposing a property ‘tour’. We asked to see the details in advance. Guess what. They were all completely irrelevant!
Always look at the details before viewings. Ask questions. Most importantly, is my pet allowed or does the landlord have an issue with pets?
With New Laws, Landlords cannot ‘unreasonably’ refuse pets?
Yes, this is true. In reality there is always a way to say no. Landlords are notorious for finding excuses.
In a competitive rental market, they don’t have to ‘try’ hard. You have a few offers to choose from and some of them won’t have pets.
True Story: I was recently ‘ghosted’ by a landlord. We offered twice on a property. The final offer being the asking price. The landlords response was ‘keep showing the property’. Simple as that. The agent was very ‘sheepish’ and did not know what to say.
The harder part for landlords is when an existing tenants, suddenly say they want to adopt a pet.
In the case of a pet request in a building with a no pets clause. The landlord has no say and its simply no pets.
“Pet Friendly” Listings Can Be Misleading
Many renters see “Pets considered” on Rightmove or Zoopla and assume they have a reasonable chance.
But in practice, that can sometimes mean one small pet only, landlord is undecided, subject to reference checks, cats but not dogs, no large breeds, no multiple pets, or building restrictions apply. It can be very unclear.
Some agents advertise properties as pet friendly simply to generate enquiries before discussing the finer details later. For tenants relocating internationally, this can waste huge amounts of time and energy.
Top tip: So when an estate agent says have a look at the property and if you’re interested, we’ll talk to the landlord about your pet, I would make it the other way round. Why waste your time going to see a place with the uncertainty.
A waste of time for both parties, even with the new laws. Because if the landlord is anti-pets, the chances are he or she will not go with your offer.
Overseas Applicants Face Extra Challenges
American renters are often surprised by how UK referencing works.
Many agents want UK employment contracts, affordability ratios, proof of ongoing income, UK bank accounts, and local guarantors in some cases.
Add pets into the mix and suddenly an application can feel too complicated to busy agents juggling dozens of enquiries. That is why many overseas tenants feel ignored.
It is not always personal. Often, agents are simply prioritising speed and certainty.
Why Preparation Matters So Much
At Pets Lets, we strongly encourage tenants with pets to present themselves professionally from the very start.
That means having a Pet CV, landlord references, proof of income, proof of savings, vaccination records, clear pet photos, and a short introduction explaining your relocation.
The goal is to reduce as many concerns as possible before they arise. Because in London, first impressions matter enormously.
Timing Also Matters
If you arrive in London and start searching two weeks before needing accommodation, the pressure becomes intense very quickly.
However, if you’ve planned in advance, know where you want to live and have studied the market, either yourselves or using a relocation professional like Pets Lets, 2 weeks give or take can work.
The most successful relocations are also those where paperwork is ready in advance, expectations are realistic, areas remain flexible, and decisions are made quickly.
The London market moves fast. Very fast.
The Good News? Pet Owners DO Successfully Rent in London
This article is not about doom and gloom. People relocate to London with pets every single day. But the biggest difference between success and failure is usually strategy and preparation.
The reality is: London agents are busy, overwhelmed, and focused on getting deals agreed quickly. That means pet owners often need to work harder to stand out positively.
At Pets Lets we help international clients navigate the realities of renting in London with pets, offering practical support based on real-world experience.
Call to Action
If you’re navigating the UK rental market with a pet—or thinking about it—take a look at:
👉 https://www.sayyestopets.co.uk/
Get the right advice early, and you’ll put yourself in a completely different position when it matters most.
About the Author – Russell Hunt
Pets Lets Expert Insight
This article was written by Russell Hunt, co-founder of Pets Lets, a specialist service helping tenants secure pet-friendly property to rent in London and across the UK.
With more than 30 years of experience in the London property market, Russell works with tenants, landlords and estate agents to make renting with pets possible in practice, not just in theory. His work focuses on helping pet owners present strong applications, prepare properly for competitive markets, and navigate landlord concerns around pets.
Through Pets Lets, Russell supports UK tenants with pets as well as educates landlords with UK properties on the benefits of dog friendly rentals and cat friendly rentals in London and across the UK.
Russell also runs the community “Relocating to the UK with Pets”, helping thousands of members understand the realities of travelling to the UK with pets.
Learn more about pet-friendly renting advice and services at Pets Lets
For further guidance on renting with pets, visit Dogs Trust’s Lets with Pets
