Can my landlord charge an extra pet deposit on top of the normal deposit?Beta*
Deposits
Private renting in England since the Renters' Rights Act 2025, unless the question says otherwise. General information, not legal advice.
Only if the total stays within the legal cap. In England every deposit, including any "pet deposit", counts towards the maximum of five weeks' rent (six weeks if the yearly rent is £50,000 or more). If the normal deposit already reaches the cap, an extra pet deposit isn't allowed. A landlord can agree a slightly higher rent because of a pet, but that has to be the rent itself, not a separate fee. Since 1 May 2026 you have the right to ask for a pet, and a landlord must not unreasonably refuse.
Sources: GOV.UK: Tenant Fees Act guidanceGOV.UK: Guide to the Renters' Rights Act
More on deposits
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Savvy Renter — savvyrenter.co.uk · free tools for renters. Answers checked 15 October 2026. The full list is also published as faq.json.
* Beta: new page, not yet reviewed by a housing adviser. General information, not legal advice.
* Beta: new page, not yet reviewed by a housing adviser. General information, not legal advice.