Can pets be kept in rented flats or houses?

Having pets at home is a joy for many families in Spain. According to ANFACC, more than 30 million animals share their home with people in our country. Among them, dogs lead the list with more than 9 million, closely followed by cats (5.8 million), fish (7.8 million), birds (5 million), small mammals (1.5 million) and reptiles (1.4 million). 

 

If you own your own home, you are free to choose your furry companions, or even have several! But what happens when you rent your house or flat - can your landlord forbid you to live with your pet? Surprisingly, only 4% of rental properties accept pets. Let's see what the law says about this. 

 

Can you live with your dog or cat in a rental property? With the new Law 7/2023 of 28 March on the protection of animal rights and welfare, animals are officially considered "living beings with sentience" and, of course, members of the family. Although many animal lovers already felt this way, the law now backs this up. This means that, regardless of whether they are dogs, cats, reptiles or hamsters, animals are considered part of the family. 

 

Do your pets now have the right to live in a rented property? 

Unfortunately, the Ley de Arrendamientos Urbanos (LAU), which regulates rentals in Spain, has not changed in this respect. Although animals are now considered part of the family, the rental legislation gives landlords total freedom to decide whether or not to allow pets in their rented properties. 

 

Can you keep a dog or cat in a rented flat? Look in your rental agreement to find out if you can have pets The decision to allow pets in a rented property rests with the landlord. However, it is important to check the rental agreement. If it does not contain any clause explicitly prohibiting the keeping of pets, the tenant may have the right to live with his or her dog or cat in the property. 

In any case, it is essential to maintain effective communication and reach agreements on cohabitation between the landlord and the tenant. Whether you have pets or not, the most important thing is that both parties strive to maintain a respectful coexistence with neighbours, ensuring cleanliness, hygiene, noise and, of course, the integrity of the property.