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Key takeaways: things to remember when renting with a dog
You've got the right to ask for a pet: May’s Renters’ Rights Act allows you to request a pet in rented homes in England. We have a full Renters' Rights Act guide on this, with expert commentary.
Your tailmate needs a CV too: Photos, training certificates, vet references, and personality descriptions help you stand out when everyone else is competing for the same pet-friendly place. We have a guide for this, too!
Focus on the things that impact your deposit the most: Manage chewing, scratching, odours, hair build-up and garden damage.
Positive reinforcement training works best: For troublesome behaviours, always try to positively reinforce the opposite. Don’t use negative reinforcement.
Keeping your new home spotless (and your deposit safe)
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Managing chewing and scratching damage
It’s a familiar sight for some of us: coming home to claw marks on the doors, your favourite rug chewed to bits or your childhood teddy bear destroyed by your dog’s eager gnashers. And worst of all (other than the teddy bear) is that it can lead to you losing your deposit instantly.
Chewing normally kicks in when our tailmates get bored or anxious, which happens a lot when we’re working.
The solution? Exercise and mental stimulation. Some easy methods include:
Taking your dog on enough walks that match their energy level.
Teach them tricks and pair with positive reinforcement.
Use interactive toys, like puzzle feeders.
If it’s a consistent problem, consider positive reinforcement training to stop destructive behaviour and let your vet know - it can mean your dog's dealing with an underlying issue.
Deal with pet stains and odours quickly
Here's the golden rule: deal with stains and accidents quickly, or the smell will linger.
You may think an area is totally clean, but if there’s a smell, it can impact how much deposit you get back.
Here’s what to use:
| Cleaning tool | Best for | Why it works |
|---|---|---|
| Air purifiers | Airborne "doggy" smells | Neutralises gas molecules and dander in the air |
| Baking soda | Carpet/upholstery odours | Absorbs moisture and neutralises pH levels |
| Charcoal deodorisers | Lingering room odours | Uses adsorption to trap and eliminate gas molecules |
| Enzyme cleaners | Urine, faeces, vomit | Breaks down proteins; removes the source of the smell |
| HEPA vacuums | Pet dander and fur | Traps microscopic allergens that standard vacuums miss |
Air purifiers
These can filter out stubborn pet odours by neutralising gas molecules, helping eliminate that “dander smell” from your home.
Baking soda (neutralising odours)
Carpets can trap in smells for a long time, so make sure you neutralise them before you move out, ideally when your pet’s already in your new property. Sprinkle baking soda on the carpets, let it sit for a few hours and then vacuum it up.
Steam cleaning works too, but it carries the risk of damage.
Charcoal deodorisers
Activated charcoal or carbon can remove odours through a process called adsorption. These don’t just mask the odour, they eliminate it.
Just make sure your pet doesn’t eat any of it, as large amounts of loose charcoal can cause an upset tummy (meaning more cleaning for you) and intestinal blockage.
Enzyme cleaners (and why they’re better than steam cleaners)
Enzyme cleaners contain live bacteria that eats up the nasty stuff, like pee, poop and vomit. Instead of masking the smell, it breaks them down into water and carbon dioxide which smell like nothing.
These are preferred over steam cleaners, as steam can bake in stains, damage surfaces and re-soil areas.
The old-fashioned deep clean
Sometimes, you just need to rely on the old deep clean. Using a mix of the cleaning methods above, we’re sure you’ll get your deposit back.
Reduce pet hair buildup on furniture
Regular grooming is essential for your pet’s health, but it can help keep your rental clean, too. Some dogs shed. A lot. But even for those fabulous pups, you can keep on top of it.
On top of regular grooming, we'd recommend a vacuum with HEPA filters and those specialised pet attachments that actually grab stubborn fur from carpets and upholstery. If your dog is terrified of the vacuum, don’t worry - our guide on getting over vacuum fear has you covered.
Lint rollers work wonders for quick touch-ups, especially on curtains and fabric surfaces, too.
We’d recommend using things like:
Dryer sheets
Pumice stones
Rubber gloves and damp squeegees
But being proactive is best, so covering your sofa with blankets and making sure you’re regularly grooming your pet is essential.
Prevent garden and lawn damage from dog urine
Your dog’s pee can actually cause some serious damage to grass and gardens. It’s because it’s got enough nitrogen in it to literally burn the grass, leading to those unsightly yellow patches. Why can nothing be easy?
But don’t worry: it’s pretty simple to keep on top of. If your dog keeps peeing in the same spot, dilute that area afterwards with water. And having them pee in the same spot is actually a good thing, as you’ll just need to water that sole area.
Otherwise, just following good garden care may be enough to stop damage, with regular feeding and watering.
What landlords actually check during property inspections
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Landlords typically inspect every six months, though some check more frequently. Others won’t inspect at all.
During these visits, they're looking for excessive damage, like pet hair in carpets, lingering pet odours, claw marks, and any stains.
Keep thorough records and snap photos during each inspection - this makes it much easier to form a case later if needed, and allows you to prove what’s normal wear-and-tear.
We know it’s hard, but try to sort out any issues as soon as they pop up during routine checks to prevent small problems from becoming major deposit deductions.
Service dogs vs emotional support animals: do landlords need to accept them?
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Service dogs get full protection under the Equality Act 2010. Landlords must make reasonable adjustments and cannot refuse assistance dogs, bump up rent, or charge extra fees.
Emotional support animals, though? They have no legal recognition here in the UK. Landlords aren't required to accept them. You’ll need to go through the request process outlined in May’s Renters’ Rights Act.
FAQs: Living with your dog in a rental
My dog barks when I’m at work. Can my neighbours get me evicted?
Not straight away. But it can become an issue over the long term. If your dog is constantly barking, then they aren’t happy being home alone, and you may need to find alternate options for them, like coming home in the middle of the day, working from home or finding someone to pet sit for you.
Try minimising the barking through training first to see if that works.
Should I hide my dog's things during a mid-tenancy inspection?
No - if your landlord has given you permission, there’s no need to hide anything.
My dog has peed in the property. Should I steam-clean it?
No. This can actually make the smell worse. We’d recommend using enzyme-based cleaners instead.
Do I have to tell my landlord if I’m "dog-sitting" for a friend?
Technically, yes. Most 2026 tenancy agreements define "keeping a pet" as any animal staying overnight. It can lead to issues if a neighbour complains about barking, for example.
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