Pet-friendly rentals are carrying premiums of up to £1,300, new analysis of Zoopla listings reveals.

Two-bedroom properties carry the biggest advertised extra cost, as new rules under the Renters’ Rights Act give private tenants the right to request to keep a pet.

The findings from pet insurance provider Waggel suggest that while renters now have stronger rights when asking to have a pet, homes listed as pet-friendly can still be advertised at a higher monthly rent than the local average.

Pet-friendly tenancies

Liverpool ranked first overall, with pet-friendly two-bedroom rentals listed £1,323 higher a month than the city’s average for all two-bedroom rentals.

Leeds was second, with pet-friendly tenancies advertised 21.66% above the local average. Birmingham placed third, where pet-friendly listings were £254 a month higher than the city average.

Tenants now have the right to request to keep a pet, and landlords cannot unreasonably refuse, although renters must still ask permission and requests can be considered case by case.

New pet rules

Dr Aimee Warner, Resident Veterinarian at Waggel, says: “For many people, a pet is part of the family, so finding a rental home where they are welcome can make a huge difference.

“The new rules are a positive step, but renters with pets should still be ready to make a clear, reassuring case to their landlord,” she says.

“Tenants should also be upfront about their pet from the start. Trying to hide an animal can create stress for everyone involved, including the pet.”

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