Renting with Pets · Templates & Examples

Pet CV Templates and Landlord Letters That Actually Work

By Alvaro Abreu · May 2026 · 14 min read

The most common question tenants ask about the pet request process is not about the law. It is about the paperwork. What exactly do you write? What goes into a Pet CV? How do you strike the right tone between polite and assertive? This article breaks down the templates and examples included in the guide, explains why each section matters, and shows you the structure without giving away the exact wording.

We cannot reproduce the full templates here — they are a core part of what you are paying for in Renting with Pets 2026. But we can show you the structure, explain the logic behind each section, and give you enough detail to decide whether the templates will be useful for your situation.

The Three Letter Templates

The guide includes three distinct letter templates, each designed for a different scenario. All three follow the same overall structure but differ in tone, emphasis, and the specific legal references they include.

Template 1: Current Pet Owner Requesting Permission

This is the most common scenario. You already have a pet and you need formal permission from your landlord to keep it at the property. The letter needs to accomplish five things simultaneously: formally invoke your rights under the Renters' Rights Act 2026, describe the pet clearly, acknowledge the landlord's potential concerns, offer practical mitigations (deposit, insurance), and set a professional, collaborative tone.

The template is structured in six paragraphs. The opening paragraph identifies you as the tenant, references the property address and tenancy agreement, and states the purpose of the letter. The second paragraph describes the pet: species, breed, age, weight, and temperament. The third addresses potential concerns specific to the property. The fourth outlines your financial commitments (pet deposit, insurance). The fifth attaches the Pet CV and any supporting documents. The sixth closes with a reference to the 42-day statutory response period.

Each paragraph includes highlighted fields where you insert your specific details. The language is deliberately formal but not cold. It reads as a reasonable person making a reasonable request, which is exactly the impression you want to create.

Template 2: Prospective Adopter Requesting Pre-Approval

This template is for tenants who do not yet have a pet but want to establish permission before adopting. The challenge is that you cannot provide specific details about an animal you have not yet chosen, so the letter needs to convey responsibility and planning without being vague.

The structure is similar to Template 1, but the pet description section is replaced with a section outlining your adoption plans: the type of animal you intend to adopt, the approximate size and breed range you are considering, the shelter or breeder you are working with, and any constraints you are willing to accept (age range, training requirements). This gives the landlord enough information to make a decision without requiring you to commit to a specific animal.

The template also includes a paragraph about timing, which is unique to the adoption scenario. If you are on a shelter waiting list, you can note this and request an expedited response so that you can proceed quickly when the right animal becomes available.

Template 3: Formalising After an Informal Refusal

This is the most delicate template. It is for tenants who have already been told "no" verbally or informally and are now invoking the formal process. The tone needs to be respectful (you do not want to antagonise the landlord) but clear (you are asserting a legal right).

The opening paragraph acknowledges the previous conversation and notes that you are now making a formal written request under the Act. This is important because it signals to the landlord that you understand the legal framework and are following the correct process. It also implicitly communicates that you are aware of your right to challenge an unreasonable refusal.

The rest of the letter follows the same structure as Template 1, but with additional emphasis on the mitigations you are offering. The logic is straightforward: if the landlord has already expressed reluctance, you need to work harder to address their specific concerns. The template includes a section where you can reference and address the reasons given in the informal refusal.

The Pet CV: What to Include and Why

A Pet CV is a one-page document that gives the landlord a comprehensive, reassuring overview of your animal. Think of it as a reference sheet. It is not legally required, but the NRLA actively encourages landlords to request one, which means providing it proactively puts you ahead of the curve.

The guide provides a complete checklist with explanatory notes for each section. Here is why each section matters.

Identification and Health Records

The name, breed, age, weight, microchip number, and vaccination history establish that the animal is registered, healthy, and identifiable. For landlords, this signals responsibility. An unvaccinated, unchipped pet raises red flags; a fully documented one does not.

The veterinary practice details serve as an implicit reference. A landlord can verify that the pet is registered with a vet, which confirms that you take the animal's health seriously. Most landlords will never actually make the call, but the fact that you provide the information builds trust.

Training and Behaviour

Training history is particularly important for dogs. If your dog has completed a Kennel Club Good Citizen scheme, an obedience course, or any formal training programme, list it. These certifications provide third-party validation that the animal is well-behaved.

The daily routine section reassures the landlord about practical concerns. A dog that is walked twice a day and left alone for no more than four hours is less likely to cause noise complaints or damage than one with no established routine. Be specific: "morning walk at 7am for 30 minutes, evening walk at 6pm for 45 minutes" is more convincing than "walked regularly."

Temperament and References

The temperament description should be honest and specific. Do not claim your dog is perfect if it barks at the postman. Instead, acknowledge minor behaviours and explain how you manage them. Landlords are not looking for a perfect pet; they are looking for a responsible owner who understands their animal.

A reference from a previous landlord is the single strongest item you can include. A brief statement confirming that the pet was kept at a previous property without causing damage or complaints carries enormous weight. If you do not have a previous landlord reference, a character reference from a neighbour, dog walker, or pet sitter is the next best thing.

Insurance and Financial Details

Including insurance details on the Pet CV reinforces the financial mitigation you offer in the letter. List the provider, policy number, and the level of cover (accidental property damage, third-party liability). If you have not yet taken out a policy, note that you will provide details before the pet moves in and include a quote to show you have researched the options.

What Makes These Templates Different From Generic Ones?

The internet has no shortage of generic pet request letter templates. A quick search will return dozens. The difference between a generic template and the ones in the guide comes down to three things.

Legal specificity. The guide's templates reference the Renters' Rights Act 2026 by name, cite the relevant sections, and use language that would be recognised by a tribunal as a formal request under the Act. Generic templates often reference the old regime or use vague language that does not clearly invoke the statutory process.

Customisation framework. Each template includes clearly marked fields for personalisation, with explanatory notes about what to include and why. Generic templates typically provide a single block of text with "[insert name here]" placeholders and no guidance on how to adapt the content for different property types, tenancy arrangements, or pet species.

Proactive objection handling. The templates are designed to address the landlord's most likely concerns before they raise them. Each template includes sections on the pet deposit, insurance, property-specific mitigations, and the landlord's right to attach reasonable conditions. Generic templates often focus solely on the tenant's rights without acknowledging the landlord's perspective, which creates an adversarial tone that hurts the chances of approval.

Sample Structure: What a Completed Letter Looks Like

We cannot reproduce the full template, but here is the general structure of a completed request letter to give you a sense of what you would be sending.

The actual templates fill each paragraph with carefully worded language that you customise with your details. The highlighted fields take about 15-20 minutes to complete. The result is a professional, legally grounded letter that you can send by email or post on the same day you receive the guide.

Common Customisation Questions

Based on the enquiries we receive, here are the most common questions tenants ask about adapting the templates.

What If I Have More Than One Pet?

The templates are designed for a single pet, but adapting them for multiple animals is straightforward. List each pet separately in the description section, provide a Pet CV for each animal, and ensure the deposit and insurance offer covers all pets. Some landlords are more hesitant about multiple animals, so a comprehensive and well-organised submission is even more important.

What If My Pet Is Not a Cat or Dog?

The templates work for any type of pet, but you may need to adjust the description section. For small animals (rabbits, hamsters, guinea pigs), emphasise that they are caged or hutched and pose minimal risk to the property. For reptiles, note the type of enclosure and that the animal is contained. For fish, the main concern is the weight and water damage risk of a large tank; address this directly. The Pet CV checklist is flexible enough to accommodate any species.

What If I Do Not Have a Previous Landlord Reference?

First-time renters or tenants whose previous landlord is unreachable can substitute other references. A character reference from a veterinary practice is strong. A reference from a pet sitter, dog walker, or boarding kennel who knows your animal is also useful. If you have no references at all, the templates still work; the reference section is optional, and the other elements (vaccination records, training certificates, insurance) carry significant weight on their own.

What If My Landlord Deals Through an Agent?

Send the letter to the agent and, if possible, a copy to the landlord directly. The templates include a line noting that copies have been sent to both parties. Address the letter to whichever party you usually communicate with, but make clear that it is a formal request under the Act directed to the landlord via the agent. The 42-day clock starts when the landlord receives it, not the agent, so proof of delivery to the landlord is important.

Should I Send by Email or Post?

Either works, but each has advantages. Email provides instant delivery confirmation and a timestamp. Post (via Royal Mail Signed For) provides a physical proof of delivery that some tribunals prefer. The guide recommends doing both: send by email for speed and follow up with a posted copy for the paper trail. The templates are written to work in both formats.

How Templates Fit Into the Full Process

The templates and Pet CV are not standalone tools. They are part of a larger process that the guide walks you through step by step. The timeline article on this site gives you the day-by-day sequence. The mistakes article flags the errors that undermine even well-prepared applications. And the checklist page gives you a printable summary of every step.

The templates work best when they are part of the full package: understand the law, prepare the documents, submit the request, and know what to do if the answer is no. That is what the 35-page guide delivers for £8.99.

A well-prepared request addresses the landlord's concerns before they raise them. The templates are designed to do exactly that.