Every week at Pets Lets we speak to Americans relocating to London with pets. Some are completely unprepared for how difficult the UK rental market can be, especially when it comes to renting in London with a pet.
Many have strong jobs, excellent credit histories, large savings, and are responsible pet owners. But the reality is this: Renting in London with pets is very different from the US.
And with the new UK rental laws now in force, many Americans relocating to the UK with their pets are getting caught out by rules and landlord attitudes they simply did not expect.
Here are the 3 biggest shocks Americans face when moving to London with dogs or cats.
1. You Can’t Just Pay 6–12 Months Upfront Anymore
This is probably the biggest shock of all. In the US, if someone has savings, a relocation package, or proceeds from a house sale, offering upfront rent can often solve problems quickly.
In the UK, under the new rental landscape in England, affordability checks are becoming stricter and many landlords and referencing companies are heavily focused on monthly income rather than savings alone.
Real life scenario: I just had a client relocate from the US to London with a dog. The issue was that the client had mainly savings rather than monthly income. We lost out on 2 properties and were lucky third time. The landlord was happy with their profile and a dog.
The real issue was the referencing agency. We got to a point where they would not accept a bank statement because there was an irregularity with the font on the paper. It seriously was a case of ‘computer says no’. We finalised it the day the client was flying from the US. Phew.
This creates a huge problem for Americans relocating before starting work, self-employed applicants, retirees, and people waiting for UK payroll.
We are already seeing situations where financially secure tenants with pets are rejected because they do not tick the standard referencing box.
For many Americans, this makes no sense whatsoever and I totally agree. I am also not a ‘fan’ of the new laws.
But the UK rental market is becoming increasingly risk-averse, and not just in London.
2. “Pet Friendly” Does NOT Mean What Americans Think It Means
This one catches people out constantly. In the US, a “pet-friendly” property often means pets are broadly welcomed, perhaps with a pet fee or deposit.
In London and the UK, “pet friendly” can mean one small dog only, one cat only, no large breeds, no puppies, no multiple pets, landlord approval still required, or building rules overriding landlord decisions.
Even under the new Renters’ Rights Act rules, tenants do not have an automatic right to keep pets.
And many apartment blocks in London still have head lease restrictions banning pets entirely. These rules sit outside the Renters’ Rights Act and remain fully enforceable.
That is why experience matters. The difference between a property that says “pets considered” and one that is genuinely workable can be enormous.
On top of that many UK landlords feel ‘forced’ to accept pets. The new laws state they cannot ‘unreasonably refuse’ pets. Landlords are well known for finding ‘loopholes’ in the laws.
3. London Letting Agents Often “Ghost” Pet Owners
This is the part many Americans find the most frustrating. London is an incredibly competitive rental market, especially in popular areas close to parks, transport links, and international schools.
So you are in the US, looking to relocate to the UK with your dog or cat. You see a great property on Rightmove, so you email the estate agent. No response.
By which time you see the property has been removed from the market and has been let.
Hate to say it, but agents receive multiple enquiries on properties. Good ones can go in 24-48 hours. With the new laws you can’t offer over the asking price, which is to make it ‘fairer’ with tenants. The idea is that someone can’t make a ridiculous high offer. I’ve seen it may times in sales and rentals.
So, how does that help tenants with pets? It doesn’t. A landlord will look for the easiest, highest earning tenant and ideally without a pet.
So, instead of being ‘ghosted’, you need to call agents. Build a relationship. Some use WhatsApp, easier and cheaper way to communicate from the US. Ask agents what else is coming on the market.
Estate agents have ‘goldfish’ memories. You’re easily forgotten. They need to remember you. You need to be on their ‘A-list’ for when new properties are about to come on the market, before they’re listed on the property portals.
Otherwise, get friends or family in the UK to look for you, or hire a relocation agency, such as Pets Lets as your pet friendly property broker.
Don’t think ‘all’ landlords hate pets. They don’t. Some are pet owners themselves.
Preparation is absolutely critical. At Pets Lets, we always recommend having a strong Pet CV, proof of income and savings, previous landlord references, vaccination records, and a short introduction about yourselves. A way to stand out from the crowd.
Because in London, speed and presentation matter.
Too many times I have had clients like a property, go away and think about it and guess what it’s gone.
Top tip: There is no harm on offering on 1 or 2 properties at the same time. Only once agreed do you have to pay a 1 week holding deposit. Nothing is legally binding until the rental agreement is signed. Be prepared to lose the 1 week holding deposit if you change your mind though.
What I’m saying is that you have to ‘throw your hat in the ring’ to be considered. The market is too fast to sit and wait.
Renting in London With Pets Is Possible. It just Requires Strategy
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 罗素-亨特, 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
