Pet references for renting: who to ask and what to include
A useful reference describes real experience. Here’s how to ask for one, what it should cover and what to do if you’re renting for the first time.
In this guide
“Lovely dog, very cute” is a fair review of most dogs. A rental reference needs to do a slightly different job: explain what it was like to let a home to you while your pet lived there.
The best reference is short, accurate and written by someone who can speak from experience. It should support your application, not pretend to guarantee that nothing will ever go wrong.
A previous landlord is a useful starting point
If you rented with your pet before, ask that landlord or managing agent whether they are happy to provide a reference. They may be able to confirm the dates, which pet lived there, whether permission was in place and how the property was left.
Keep rent and general tenancy history separate from observations about the animal where that helps. Someone can confirm that you paid on time without claiming they assessed your dog’s behaviour every day.
What should a pet reference cover?
- The referee’s name and relationship to you.
- The period they knew you and the pet.
- The number and type of animals they actually knew about.
- Relevant observations about property condition, communication and any issues.
- A way to verify the reference, shared with the referee’s permission.
Ask them to stick to what they know. “No pet-related complaints were reported to me during the tenancy” is more precise than “this dog never barks”. A balanced account is more credible than a string of impossible promises.
A request you can send
Hi [name], I’m applying for a new rental with [pet]. Would you be comfortable providing a short reference about our tenancy at [address/dates]? It would help to confirm that [pet] lived there with permission and describe any relevant experience of the property’s condition, complaints or how I handled issues. Please only include what you can accurately confirm. Are you happy for me to share the reference and your preferred contact details with the new landlord or agent?
Give them a reasonable amount of time. If there is a deadline, say what it is without writing the reference for them and presenting it as their words.
What if you don’t have a previous landlord?
That can simply mean you are a first-time renter, lived with family or adopted your pet recently. Say so. A missing landlord reference is not the same as a bad one.
A sitter, walker or trainer may describe their own experience of your pet, but label the relationship honestly. They cannot confirm the condition of a rental they never inspected. A family reference can provide context, but it is not an independent landlord reference.
Offer a clear routine and an accurate Pet CV alongside whatever supporting information you do have. Ask the agent what would be useful instead of sending a huge bundle of documents.
Should you ask your vet?
A veterinary practice may be able to confirm a limited factual point with your permission. That is different from certifying that a pet will be a trouble-free tenant. Ask the practice what it can provide and whether there is a charge before requesting a letter.
Do not send full medical records by default. A housing enquiry usually does not need the detail of every appointment your pet has ever had.
Share it with the right people
Get permission before passing on a referee’s email or phone number. Send references directly to the person handling the genuine application; avoid posting contact details on an open listing or a public Pet CV. Preview a share link before using it.
A reference is supporting context, not a guarantee of acceptance. For an existing assured periodic tenancy in England, the statutory pet-request process centres on a written request describing the animal; don’t treat a reference as a replacement for that request.
Sources & further help
Reviewed 11 October 2026. Practical information, not individual legal advice. Check the rules for your nation and tenancy type.