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Pet-friendly rentals in London can improve rental income by attracting longer stays and reducing vacancy rates. However, this is only possible if the property is designed and managed correctly. With higher cleaning costs, furnishing upgrades and insurance changes, you need a strategy to balance profitability and property protection.
Key Takeaways:
- Pet-friendly rentals are increasing in London thanks to growing demand from households that opt to care for pets.
- Pet-friendly properties enjoy higher occupancy and longer stays, but it also comes with higher operational and maintenance costs.
- Smart property design is the key to minimising pet-related damage.
- Mid-term rentals and family-focused properties perform better as pet-friendly accommodations.
- Professional property management helps landlords meet pet demand without compromising property protection.
Why Are Pet-Friendly Rentals Increasing in London?
Pet-friendly rentals in London are increasing due to growing demand. A survey revealed that London has the highest number of households in the UK owning cats (41%) and dogs (49%).
Did you know:
In 2026, 36.5 million pets found a home across the UK, with 62% of households, or 18 million, owning at least one pet. – Pet Business World
For many households, pets are viewed as a part of the family. They have been a source of comfort for some people, especially those living alone or with young children.
Travellers are also more particular about pet-friendly accommodations. Booking.com’s 2025 travel data shows nearly 15 million global searches for pet-friendly rentals. Another study found a 28% rise in searches for pet-friendly holidays in the UK since the pandemic began.
All these drive the demand for pet-friendly rentals. Add to that the implementation of the Renters’ Rights Act, which prohibits the refusal of pets without justifiable reason. Landlords are expected to allow pets in their rental properties.
How does the Renters’ Rights Act affect pet-friendly rentals?
Under the RRA, tenants have stronger rights to request pet ownership.
Based on the AST (Assure Periodic Tenancy guide for landlords, tenants are required to submit a written request that includes the animal’s type and size, and how much room it will need (e.g., whether it will be in an enclosure). This written request is important, and they can’t just keep a pet without your permission.
Landlords can refuse the request as long as:
- The property is deemed too small for the pet
- Another tenant has an allergy
- The pet described in the request is illegal
- You are a leaseholder, and the freeholder prohibits pets
Even if you have had issues with tenants owning pets in the past (e.g., your property was damaged by one), you can’t use it as a valid reason to refuse the request.
In case you have a valid reason to refuse, it should also be done in writing. Your tenant can still challenge your refusal, so make sure you have supporting documents for your reason.
What does this mean for you?
If you want to keep your rental property competitive, you need to pet-proof your unit so you can accept pets without worrying about damaging your real estate asset.
While pet-friendly rentals enjoy stronger occupancy and tenant loyalty, you need to crunch the numbers first before you advertise your property for pet lovers. Don’t underestimate these costs to minimise their impact on your rental profits.
What Are the Hidden Costs of Pet-Friendly Rentals?
Pet-friendly rentals are profitable, but they do demand an initial investment. Landlords should understand the true cost of welcoming pets into their properties so they can manage the impact on their bottom line.
Here are things you need to consider before you start promoting a pet-friendly rental.
Cleaning and turnover costs
The most significant operational increase is in cleaning, especially for short-term rentals with frequent turnovers.
Pet-friendly rentals usually require:
- Upholstery deodorising
- Hair and allergen removal
- Deep carpet cleaning
- Extra laundry cycles
- Balcony or outdoor sanitation (if applicable)
At City Relay, we do not have special rates for cleaning pet-friendly short-term rentals. However, guests with pets are requested to shoulder deep cleans after their stay, which usually cost £100 to £250.
Insurance premium increases
Standard insurance policies usually do not cover pet-related damage. However, this can be requested as a special add-on to your policy. Some pet damage protection add-ons cost £130+ a year, which is just over £10 a month. This can be quite affordable, as you can claim up to £2000.
This can save you a lot on repair costs for scratches, chewing, and odours.
Furniture and flooring replacement cycles
Allowing pets into your rental would also accelerate the wear and tear on your property. Having pets would leave you with:
- Scratched wooden floors
- Damaged blinds or curtains
- Chewed furniture edges
- Torn upholstery
This could also shorten the replacement cycle of your furnishing. For instance, your carpet may deteriorate twice as fast, and a standard carpet replacement is £150 to £300 per room.
Vacancy and revenue risks
A pet-friendly rental without proper cleaning and maintenance systems to address odours, stains, and visible damage may face revenue risks.
When the next tenant or guest comes in and smells the bad odour or sees chewed furniture, scratched flooring, torn upholstery, and damaged blinds, this will lead to bad reviews.
Not only that, but guests or tenants with allergies might avoid your property.
If you want to open your doors for pet lovers, make sure you can clean and maintain your property so it stays in good condition.
Do Pets Actually Increase Rental Profit?
Pets do not automatically increase profits for all property types. You need to know if your property can accommodate pets in the first place.
For instance, pet-friendly rentals perform better when guests stay for extended periods and have outdoor access (e.g., terrace, balcony, garden). If your target occupants are relocators or families, it’s ideal to have a pet-friendly rental. You should also have a property management system that will ensure your rental is properly cleaned and well-maintained.
These types of rentals enjoy longer tenancies, lower vacancies, and even guest loyalty. Some tenant may be easier to negotiate with if you accommodate their pets. You can charge higher nightly rates, additional cleaning fees, and pet fees.
Pet-friendly rentals are not ideal if your property has delicate furnishing, lacks space and outdoor access, experiences frequent guest turnover, or is in a building with strict noise policies. Luxury shortlets with expensive interiors may cost more to replace.
In short, having a pet-friendly rental works if:
- It’s located on the ground floor
- It’s near parks or has an outdoor green space
- It uses either mid-term lets or flexible lets
- It’s designed to be a family-focused property
How Should You Design a Pet-Friendly Rental?
London landlords should not focus on allowing pets, but rather on preparing rental properties for the growing demand for pet-friendly properties.
The trend has pointed towards flexibility for a couple of years now. This includes the option for guests and tenants to bring their pets. When designing your property to accommodate pets, you need to balance it with operational risks and guest satisfaction.
When done right, it can lead to a profitable property in London.
Materials that work best for pet-friendly rentals
With the right materials, you can minimise maintenance costs and better protect your rental profit. Here are tips to choose the right materials for your pet-friendly accommodations.
- Flooring. Avoid soft wood flooring or thick carpets. Opt for flooring that’s easier to clean and more resistant to claws and moisture, like sealed hardwood, scratch-resistant laminate, low-pile rugs, or luxury vinyl tile.
- Paint and walls. Choose washable and stain-resistant paint. Matte finishes look great, but these often trap scratches. Washable satin or eggshell finishes are easier to maintain and clean.
- Furniture choices. Replacements can be costly. Make replacement cycles longer by using removable sofa covers, easy-to-clean dining surfaces, durable fabrics, and hardwood or metal furniture frames. Avoid delicate or absorbent materials.
Do you need a dedicated pet zone?
If your property is big enough for a dedicated pet zone, it’s best to set it up. Pet zones are designed for longer wear and tear while providing guest convenience.
These pet zones can be as simple as having a feeding station, storage for towels and cleaning supplies, a dog/cat bed, and a dedicated outdoor washing spot (preferably near entrances).
If you have a shortlet, you can provide guests with water bowls, waste bags, paw-cleaning mats, and pet blankets. These simple additions can significantly improve guest reviews and elevate your rentals’ competitive advantage.
Make Your Pet-Friendly Rental Profitable
Pet-friendly rentals are not a hospitality trend. They can be a strategic advantage for London rental properties, with certain conditions.
It’s important to remember that allowing pets is not enough. You need to understand operational costs, design standards, and material durability to minimise expenses while maximising occupancy and rental income.
Beyond that, you should also consider the right letting strategy and the appropriate property management systems that will help you maintain operational efficiency and consistency. When managed properly, pet-friendly rentals experience longer stays, stronger tenant loyalty, higher occupancy, and more resilient rental income.
If you’re considering transforming your property into a pet-friendly rental, work with a property management company like City Relay. Our in-house cleaning and maintenance team will ensure your property receives enhanced cleaning, faster maintenance coordination, and damage monitoring.
Let’s assess the operational and financial impact of a pet-friendly design on your property.
FAQs
Are pet-friendly rentals more profitable in London?
Pet-friendly rentals can be profitable in London, especially for mid-term rentals and family-focused properties. These types of rentals attract longer stays and loyal tenants, thereby improving occupancy rates.
However, profitability still depends on property design, operational management, and maintenance strategies. A poorly managed property can become expensive, as the costs of cleaning, repairs, and furnishing replacements can quickly exceed rental income.
Finding the balance between pet demand, durable interiors, and proactive maintenance systems is more likely to make your rental profitable.
What is the cost of having a pet-friendly rental?
The highest cost of having a pet-friendly rental is the accelerated wear and tear. The one-off damage is also huge, but less likely to be more costly than shorter replacement cycles would be. Flooring, furniture, and upholstery deteriorate more quickly, especially in high-turnover shortlets. Cleaning costs increase significantly because of odour treatment and allergen removal. Although you can charge pet fees, make sure you monitor operational costs to ensure they don’t compromise your bottom line.
What type of property works best as a pet-friendly home?
Properties with outdoor access, durable interiors, and larger layouts make better pet-friendly rentals. Those located on the ground floor or near parks are more appealing to pet owners.
If your rental is a compact unit or a luxury apartment, your property isn’t ideal for pets.
How can I reduce pet-related property damage?
The best approach is proactive design. Invest in the right upgrades to prep your property for pets. Use scratch-resistant flooring, easy-to-clean paint, removable covers, durable furniture materials, etc. These will reduce operational costs and maintenance expenses.
You should also establish clear pet policies and designate a pet zone. Partnering with professional cleaning systems also makes a huge difference.
