Consent to keep a pet and liability for damage are separate questions. Establish the cause, responsibility and reasonable loss before proposing payment or a deposit deduction.
Establish what happened
- Identify the item, extent and reported cause, inviting the tenant's account.
- Compare check-in photographs and earlier defects.
- Deal promptly with exposed wiring, insecure doors or other hazards regardless of the payment dispute.
Choose a proportionate remedy
- Consider cleaning or repair before replacement.
- Allow for the item's age, condition and remaining useful life.
- Keep evidence of reasonable costs and distinguish actual damage from ordinary wear.
Manage recurrence or dispute
- Discuss practical prevention and any lawful agreement about care.
- Use the deposit scheme or appropriate dispute route if agreement is not possible.
- Do not threaten removal of the animal or entry without lawful authority.
Example: scratches predate the pet
A fictional checkout photograph shows scratches on a door, but the check-in image shows the same marks. Do not include them in a pet-damage claim. Identify any additional deterioration separately.
What to do
- Inspect and make urgent damage safe.
- Compare the inventory and establish the cause.
- Provide an itemised, evidenced proposal for any recoverable loss.
Evidence to keep
- Pet permission, inventory, dated photographs and contractor findings.
- Repair costs, age and condition allowance, and tenant response.
Sources and guidance
- Considering a tenant’s pet requestUK Government · checked 20 October 2026
- Deposit protection schemes and landlordsUK Government · checked 20 October 2026
- Taking a deposit as a private landlordScottish Government · checked 20 October 2026
- Renting Homes (Fees, Discrimination etc.) (Wales) Act 2019Welsh Government · checked 20 October 2026