Letting to Pet Owners? Here’s What Agents Must Capture in the Check-Out Report

Allowing tenants to bring pets into a property was once discretionary. Now, it's heading in the direction of becoming the standard.

Since the Renters Reform Bill has altered the way landlords deal with requests for pets, letting agents must be even more vigilant, particularly at check-out time. The regulations regarding deposits and pet cover have altered, which means the only effective line of defence against a dispute or claim for damage is a properly documented, legally compliant check-out report.

So, what's new and what precisely goes into a report when animals are involved?

Let’s break it down.

What Are the New Pet Rules in Rentals?

1. Tenants can now legally ask to keep pets

Under the Renters Reform Bill, tenants can make a formal application to have a pet in the property. The landlord must consider it reasonably. They can still refuse, but only for a genuine reason.

Genuine grounds for refusal could include:

  • Restrictions on the building (e.g. clauses on the lease)
  • Health and safety concerns
  • Lack of space
That leaves more responsibility on letting agents to talk between the two sides clearly and document everything correctly.

2. Pet insurance is no longer required legally

The government had at one point proposed that landlords should be allowed to make tenancies conditional on tenants having pet damage insurance. That idea was abandoned.

What this means:
  • Landlords cannot include pet insurance as a condition
  • They also can't request a pet deposit in addition to the standard deposit
So, the threat of pet damage is no longer supported by a cash buffer. That makes documents and proof more crucial than ever.

3. Pet Rent Is Now the Norm

To replace the absence of a pet deposit, most landlords are instead charging additional rent, usually £25–£50 a month, occasionally higher depending on the property.

This must be negotiated in writing as part of the tenancy agreement, and lettings agents tend to be the ones who are brokering that discussion.

What Do You Need to Put in a Pet-Sensitive Check-Out Report?

1. Room-by-Room Damage Inspection

Do more than make notes in general. Search for:
  • Scratches on walls, skirting boards, and doors
  • Bitten/gnawed furniture
  • Stained, frayed carpets
  • Overpowering odours (note if found and where)
 Make dated, geo-located photos from multiple vantage points. Employ Reports2Go's timestamp function to verify when and where the images were captured.

2. Odours and Covert Impact

Some of the most destructive pet damage goes unseen.

Letting agents should:
  • Inspect for pungent odours in curtains, rugs, or furniture
  • Utilise Reports2Go's audio notes function to record notes on the scene
  • Note any requirement for expert deodorising treatments
 3. Compare to the Check-In Report

Always look back at the check-in report.

If the front door was scratch-free before, and now it has a gouge near the bottom, that's unmistakable proof. Reports2Go allows you to save and compare both reports side-by-side to make this easier to do.

Final Word

Letting to pet owners isn’t just a nice option anymore; it’s increasingly expected. But with the shift away from separate deposits and mandatory insurance, the check-out report is now the only real safety net for landlords and agents.

If you’re not capturing pet-related damage clearly, you’re risking deposit disputes, missed charges, or even formal complaints.

Contact the Reports2Go team for more information.

Panos , 08 August 2025
Letting to Pet Owners? Here’s What Agents Must Capture in the Check-Out Report

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