Ever tried finding an apartment with your seventy-pound golden retriever? It’s a challenge. A big one. While a majority of U.S. renters own pets, finding a home that welcomes them—without major restrictions—is a growing source of frustration. A tale of two rental markets is emerging, both in the United States and across the pond in the United Kingdom. One where “pets allowed” signs are everywhere, and another where the fine print tells a different story.

So, what’s really going on?

The “Pet-Friendly” Paradox in the US

On the surface, the American rental market seems to be opening its doors to pets. According to 2024 data from Zillow, 57% of rental listings nationwide now allow pets. Good news, right?

Kind of.

Dig a little deeper, and you hit the first wall: restrictions. A report from Michelson Found Animals Foundation highlights that among properties advertised as pet-friendly, a staggering 80% still enforce breed restrictions, and 64% impose weight limits. That “pets allowed” label often means “small pets allowed.” Or “some breeds allowed.” For many tenants, it feels like a bait-and-switch.

This mismatch creates a significant hurdle for the 59% of renters who, according to Zillow’s 2023 research, have at least one pet. The result? Higher costs and fewer options. An evidence review published in Housing, Theory and Society found that renters in pet-friendly units paid, on average, $222 more per month than those in non-pet-friendly housing. It’s a steep price for companionship.

City Showdown: Where Are Pets Actually Welcome?

Your odds of finding a true pet-friendly rental depend heavily on where you live. Some cities are rolling out the welcome mat, while others are lagging far behind.

Just look at Texas.

Data from Zillow shows Texas metros dominating the pet-friendly scene in 2024. Austin leads the nation, with approximately 80% of its rental listings allowing pets. Dallas isn’t far behind at around 79%, and San Antonio consistently ranks among the top three most pet-friendly cities. For renters in these booming Sun Belt hubs, finding a place for their furry friends is far less of a headache.

But what about major coastal markets? It’s a different story. Take Seattle. While it’s known for its outdoor-loving culture, its rental market is much tighter. Pet-friendly listings are harder to come by, and when they do appear, they often come with strict size, breed, and number limits, reflecting the competitive and high-cost nature of the housing market there.

A Landlord’s Secret Weapon? Going Pet-Friendly

Here’s a tip for property owners: want your listing to get noticed? Allow pets. Zillow’s 2024 data reveals a clear trend. Listings that allow pets receive:

• 9% more views
• 12% more saves
• 11% more shares

In a crowded market, that’s a huge advantage. A listing that clearly states “All Breeds Welcome” or “No Weight Limits” can quickly gain traction on social media and rental platforms. It taps into a massive, underserved market of responsible pet owners who are tired of being turned away. An ad that showcases a pet enjoying the space? That’s how you get shares. It’s a powerful marketing tool.

A View from the Mountains: The Vacation Rental Angle

The trend isn’t limited to long-term rentals. In vacation hotspots, being pet-friendly is becoming a must-have. For experts in property management Mammoth Lakes, where mountain trails and alpine lakes are the main draw, excluding pets means excluding a huge portion of their customer base. It’s a market driven by outdoor activity, and visitors see their dogs as part of the adventure.

Robert Calvert, owner of Blizzard Premier Property Management in Mammoth Lakes, CA, sees it as a straightforward business decision. He explains that with the right framework, welcoming pets is a low-risk, high-reward strategy that boosts bookings and builds loyalty.

“In a place like Mammoth, our guests want to bring their dogs to enjoy the lakes and trails, so being pet-friendly isn’t just an amenity—it’s essential. When you have clear policies on fees and cleaning, you remove the risk and open your property to a huge market of responsible owners who book more frequently and become loyal, repeat visitors. It’s a clear win for everyone.”

— Robert Calvert, Owner of a Mammoth, CA Property Management Company

The UK’s Approach: A “Right to Request”

Across the Atlantic, the United Kingdom is facing a similar disconnect. Research from the advocacy group Lets with Pets shows that while 46% of UK landlords say they are willing to allow pets, only 9% of their properties are actually advertised as pet-friendly. This gap leaves many renters in the lurch.

But change is on the horizon.

The UK government has been developing policy that would give tenants the legal “right to request a pet.” Under this framework, a landlord could not “unreasonably refuse” such a request. What’s considered unreasonable? That’s still being defined, but it shifts the dynamic significantly. Instead of a default “no,” it becomes a conversation.

To mitigate their risks, landlords would be able to require tenants to obtain pet insurance. This would cover any potential damage, providing a layer of financial security that could make more property owners say “yes.”

The Insurance Angle: Managing Risk

Insurance is a huge piece of this puzzle on both sides of the ocean. For landlords, the primary concerns are property damage and liability. What if a dog chews through the drywall or, worse, bites someone on the property?

In the U.S., many landlords require tenants to have renters insurance with added pet liability coverage. This protects the landlord from claims related to the tenant’s pet. However, many insurance policies come with their own set of breed-based exclusions, refusing to cover so-called “dangerous breeds.” This forces a landlord’s hand, leading them to implement the same restrictions.

The UK’s proposed model—making pet insurance a condition of approval—is an interesting alternative. It puts the responsibility on the tenant to secure coverage specifically for property damage, directly addressing the landlord’s main financial worry.

The Retention Question: Do Pet Owners Stay Longer?

Here’s something every landlord should know. It’s not just about filling vacancies faster. It’s about keeping them filled.

Multiple studies suggest tenants with pets stay in their rental properties longer. Why? Because finding another pet-friendly place is so difficult. Once they secure a home that welcomes their entire family, they are less likely to move. A study published in the journal Anthrozoös noted that pet-owning renters reported longer tenancies compared to those without pets.

For a property owner, this is gold. Lower turnover means less time and money spent on advertising, cleaning, and screening new applicants. It means more consistent rent and fewer vacancy gaps. Welcoming pets isn’t just a nice thing to do; it can be a smart business decision.

Assistance Animals: A Different Set of Rules

It’s critical for landlords and tenants in the US to understand that assistance animals are not pets. Under the federal Fair Housing Act (FHA), animals that provide assistance or emotional support for a person with a disability must be granted as a “reasonable accommodation.”

This means a landlord cannot:

• Charge pet rent or a pet deposit for an assistance animal.
• Deny housing based on a “no pets” policy.
• Enforce breed or weight restrictions on an assistance animal.

Denying a reasonable accommodation request for an assistance animal is one of the most common sources of housing discrimination complaints filed with the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). It’s a legal protection every property owner needs to understand.

Ultimately, the conversation around pets in rentals is shifting. Renters see their pets as family. Landlords who recognize this reality—and adapt their policies with clear, fair guidelines—are poised to win in today’s market.