Emotional Support Animals: Tenant Rights in Wales

If you rent a property in Wales and rely on an emotional support animal (ESA), you may wonder what your rights are. Many renters face uncertainty when it comes to keeping support animals, especially since the law in Wales differs from some other nations. Here's what you should know about ESAs and rental properties in Wales.

Understanding Emotional Support Animals and UK Law

In the UK, an emotional support animal is an animal that offers comfort or emotional benefit, particularly for someone with a mental health condition or disability. Unlike assistance dogs for guide or hearing support, ESAs are not officially recognised or accredited under UK law.

This means ESAs do not have automatic legal rights to access housing or public places in the way that assistance dogs under the Equality Act 2010 do.¹

Are Emotional Support Animals Allowed in Welsh Rentals?

Whether you can keep an ESA in your rental largely depends on:

• The tenancy agreement wording (often called a ‘no pets’ or ‘pet policy’)
• Your disability status as defined under the Equality Act 2010
• Your ability to request a ‘reasonable adjustment’

While ESAs do not have special rights, people with a qualified disability may ask their landlord for a reasonable adjustment to pet policies if keeping the animal is necessary due to their mental health or disability.

What is a ‘Reasonable Adjustment’ for Disability?

A reasonable adjustment is a change landlords are required to consider (and make where reasonable) so disabled tenants are not at a substantial disadvantage. This is a right under the Equality Act 2010 – Section 20, which applies across Wales.¹

For renters, this could involve allowing an animal that helps manage symptoms of a mental health condition. However, this is at the discretion of the landlord and depends on the situation.

How to Request a Reasonable Adjustment

If you have a disability, you can make a written request to your landlord or letting agent. You should:

• Explain your disability and how the animal supports your health
• Provide supporting documents (such as a GP letter)
• Ask clearly for a ‘reasonable adjustment’ to the tenancy agreement

Relevant Official Forms and How to Use Them

• Complaint to Rent Smart Wales: If you believe your landlord is unlawfully discriminating due to disability, you can make a complaint through the Rent Smart Wales complaint form. This is helpful if the landlord does not consider your reasonable adjustment request.
• Equality and Human Rights Commission Wales Complaint: You may also contact EHRC Wales for guidance on disability discrimination and reasonable adjustments.

Most ‘request for reasonable adjustment’ letters do not have an official standard government form. You should put your request in writing, keep a copy, and note any response. If you think your rights have been breached, you can consider making a formal complaint or contacting an advice service.

Tenancy Laws and Tribunals in Wales

• Relevant Legislation: The main law for renter rights and anti-discrimination is the Equality Act 2010 and, for tenancy agreements in Wales, the Renting Homes (Wales) Act 2016.²
• Disputes Tribunal: If matters cannot be resolved directly, housing disputes may be decided by the Residential Property Tribunal Wales, including certain discrimination and tenancy issues.³

If your case relates specifically to discrimination and reasonable adjustments, the Equality and Human Rights Commission Wales can also advise on your options.

Action Steps for Renters with Emotional Support Animals

• Read your tenancy agreement for pet and animal policies
• If you have a relevant disability, write to your landlord asking for a reasonable adjustment, with evidence from your GP or specialist
• Keep records of all communications
• If refused, consider reporting your landlord to Rent Smart Wales, or contacting the Residential Property Tribunal Wales
• Seek support from advisory bodies like Shelter Cymru and the Equality and Human Rights Commission

Always try to resolve the matter amicably with your landlord before pursuing formal action.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Do I have an automatic right to keep an emotional support animal in my Welsh rental?
   No, there is no automatic right. However, tenants with a disability may request that their landlord make a reasonable adjustment to allow an ESA if it supports their medical needs.
2. If my tenancy says 'no pets', can a landlord still say no to an emotional support animal?
   Landlords are not required to allow ESAs unless you qualify under the Equality Act as disabled and keeping the animal is a reasonable adjustment. In this case, the landlord must properly consider your request.
3. Is there an official UK registration for emotional support animals?
   No, the UK does not recognise ESAs officially, and there is no official registry. Assistance dogs are the only support animals given special legal status.
4. Which tribunal deals with rental disputes in Wales involving ESAs?
   The Residential Property Tribunal Wales handles housing disputes, including some discrimination and tenancy issues.
5. Where can I get help if my landlord refuses to consider a reasonable adjustment?
   You can contact Shelter Cymru or EHRC Wales for support and advice.

Conclusion: Key Takeaways

• Emotional support animals do not have automatic rental rights under Welsh law.
• If you have a disability, you can ask for a reasonable adjustment to keep an ESA, but you must provide evidence and landlord agreement is not guaranteed.
• If you feel unfairly treated, you can contact Rent Smart Wales, Shelter Cymru, or the Residential Property Tribunal Wales for further help.

Understanding these rules can help you approach your landlord confidently and access further support if needed.

Need Help? Resources for Renters

• Shelter Cymru – Tenant Advice (free advice and advocacy in Wales)
• Equality and Human Rights Commission Wales
• UK Government: Dealing with discrimination
• Residential Property Tribunal Wales (housing dispute tribunal)
• Rent Smart Wales – Report a Concern

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1. Equality Act 2010 (legislation.gov.uk)
2. Renting Homes (Wales) Act 2016
3. Residential Property Tribunal Wales (Official site)

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