Can a landlord forbid pets in your rental home?

Updated: October 2026

You found a home, but the contract says: "Keeping pets is prohibited." Do you now have to choose between your pet and the home? Such a ban is not always tenable, but it depends on the wording and your situation.

1. What does the law say?

Many standard contracts contain a pet ban. Behavioural bans for consumers are subject to Directive 93/13: the court reviews on its own motion whether a term is unfair. A ban may serve a legitimate purpose, such as preventing damage or nuisance, but may not go further than necessary.

2. When can a ban hold?

• Nuisance or damage: with demonstrable nuisance or damage a landlord can act, and with serious and structural failures the contract can be at risk.
• An unsuitable home: if the animal clearly does not fit the home, that counts.
• Shared living space: for a room in a shared home, for example with a lodger landlady, the interests of housemates such as allergies play a role.
• Owners' association and building rules: for an apartment, rules of the building or the owners' association can play a part. Ask about them before you sign.

3. Do you have to ask permission first?

If the contract contains a ban or a permission requirement, the most honest route is to discuss it beforehand and put the agreement in writing. Ignoring a clause you signed and hoping for the best is not without risk, even if the clause may be vulnerable. Consider instead asking to adapt the wording: for example a clause that allows permission and excludes nuisance or damage.

4. Assistance dogs

An assistance dog is not an ordinary pet. Separate rules apply, including on equal treatment. Do you have such a dog and are you refused? Then ask for targeted advice, for example from the Juridisch Loket or the Netherlands Institute for Human Rights.

5. Tips for tenants with a pet

1. Introduce your pet: when you respond to a home, give a short description, for example age, behaviour and experience. That removes worries.
2. Put agreements in writing: have permission and conditions included in the contract or an annex.
3. Prevent nuisance: that is your most important duty. Without nuisance a landlord has little ground to intervene.

This article is general information, not legal advice. Rules change and your situation may differ. In doubt? Ask a lawyer, the Juridisch Loket or the Huurcommissie (Dutch Rent Tribunal).