Emotional Support Animals and Your Rights as an English Renter

For renters in England, emotional support animals (ESAs) can play an important role in maintaining mental health and wellbeing. But are landlords legally required to allow ESAs in rental properties? This article explores your rights, the current legal situation, and steps you can take if you're seeking to have an emotional support animal in your home.

Understanding Emotional Support Animals in England

Unlike assistance dogs such as guide dogs for the blind, emotional support animals do not have specific recognition in UK law. This means the protections and rights associated with ESAs differ from those protected for trained assistance dogs. However, there are important disability rights that may be relevant if you have a mental health condition or disability and require an ESA as a reasonable adjustment.

Do Landlords in England Have to Allow Emotional Support Animals?

Currently, English law does not specifically recognise emotional support animals as a separate legal category. However, under the Equality Act 2010, tenants with a disability have the right to request reasonable adjustments from their landlord. This might include waiving a 'no pets' policy if an animal is needed to manage your mental health or disability.[1]

It's important to note:

  • Landlords are not required to allow pets unless you have a valid need connected to a disability.
  • Only trained assistance dogs have specific legal rights of access to rented housing under the Equality Act.
  • You may request that your landlord consider allowing an ESA as a reasonable adjustment if you have a disability, but they may refuse if they have a valid reason (such as property suitability, allergies, or risk of damage).

Requesting a Reasonable Adjustment for an Emotional Support Animal

If you want your landlord to consider allowing your ESA, you should formally request a reasonable adjustment in writing. This helps to show a clear process and provides evidence if you need to take further action.

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How to make your request:

  • Explain your disability or mental health condition (you do not need to disclose details, but you can provide supporting evidence from a GP or mental health professional).
  • Describe how the emotional support animal helps with your symptoms or daily life.
  • Request an exception to any 'no pets' policy as a reasonable adjustment under the Equality Act 2010.
  • If possible, offer assurance about responsible animal care and how you will prevent nuisance or damage.

If the landlord refuses without a good reason, it may amount to disability discrimination.

Relevant Official Forms and Complaints

There is no specific national 'reasonable adjustment' form for tenants in England. However, you can use the following approaches:

  • Write a formal letter or email referencing the Equality Act 2010 and your request for a reasonable adjustment.
  • If you feel you've been discriminated against and the landlord is regulated, you may complain to the Housing Ombudsman Service (for social housing or regulated private landlords).
  • If the issue can't be resolved, consider seeking redress through the First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) – Residential Property for certain disputes, although disability and discrimination claims may require a claim through the County Court.
If you are making a request to your landlord, keep copies of all correspondence and supporting documents. This protects your position if you need to escalate your complaint.

For guidance on how to write to your landlord, review letter templates from Citizens Advice or use the guide provided by the UK government on disabled people’s housing rights.

Assistance Dogs: A Special Case

Assistance dogs (such as guide dogs, hearing dogs) enjoy strong legal protections. Landlords must normally allow these animals, even in properties with a general no-pets rule, unless they have a justified exemption. Read more at the Equality and Human Rights Commission.[2]

Tenancy Agreements and Pet Clauses

Tenancy agreements in England often include clauses about keeping pets. From 2021, the government’s Model Tenancy Agreement encourages landlords to allow pets. However, many landlords still prohibit animals or require explicit permission. The law as of 2024 does not require landlords to automatically accept emotional support animals.

  • Always check your agreement's pet policy before introducing an animal.
  • Making changes to a tenancy (such as agreeing to a pet) is often done by written agreement between both parties.

If you believe your landlord is acting unreasonably under the Equality Act 2010, it may be possible to challenge their refusal.

Which Tribunal Handles Renter Disputes?

For most private tenancy disputes in England, the official body is the First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) – Residential Property. For claims about discrimination under the Equality Act, cases may be handled by the County Court.[3]

  1. Can my landlord refuse my emotional support animal in England?
    Landlords can refuse an emotional support animal unless you can show it is a reasonable adjustment for a disability under the Equality Act. There is currently no automatic right for ESAs, but assistance dogs are generally protected.
  2. What steps should I take if I need an emotional support animal in my rental?
    Write to your landlord, provide medical evidence if possible, and clearly link your request to a disability-related need. If refused, you may seek further advice or raise a complaint using official dispute routes.
  3. Is there an official UK form to request a reasonable adjustment for an ESA?
    There is no UK government form specifically for requesting an ESA in a rental. However, you can use a written letter or email referencing the Equality Act 2010 to formally request a reasonable adjustment.
  4. Can a tenancy agreement override my rights under equality law?
    No — if you have a disability, your rights under the Equality Act 2010 take precedence over the tenancy agreement. However, you must demonstrate that keeping your animal is necessary for managing your condition.
  5. Where can I get help if my landlord discriminates against me due to a disability?
    You can contact the Equality Advisory and Support Service or seek help through the Housing Ombudsman. Legal advice may also be available from Citizens Advice or Shelter England.

Conclusion: Key Takeaways for Renters

  • There is no automatic right to emotional support animals in English rentals, except for assistance dogs.
  • You can request a reasonable adjustment under the Equality Act if you have a disability, with supporting evidence.
  • Document your requests, know your rights, and seek help if you face discrimination.

Need Help? Resources for Renters


  1. Equality Act 2010
  2. Equality and Human Rights Commission – Assistance Dogs Guidance
  3. First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) – Residential Property
Bob Jones
Bob Jones

Editor & Researcher, Tenant Rights UK

Bob writes and reviews tenant law content for various regions. They’re passionate about housing justice and simplifying legal protections for renters everywhere.