Landlords can presently impose blanket bans on the keeping of pets in private rental properties – without providing a justifiable reason.

But as of today, more people than ever in England have the opportunity to own an animal. 

That is all changing today thanks to the Renters Rights Act, which will give all tenants in the private rented sector the legal right to request keeping a pet, with such requests unable to be unreasonably refused by landlords.

The change comes as the RSPCA faces a capacity crisis – with many of its animal centres “full to bursting”. 

But the new legislation will mean many more families will have a chance to adopt pets – in a move which could “revolutionise” pet ownership numbers in England.

David Bowles, Head of Public Affairs at the RSPCA, said: “This is an historic day for pet ownership.

“For too long, renters in England have been unfairly denied the potential joy of pet ownership.

“That ends thanks to this new law.

“This change is a lifeline – not just for families wanting to add a loving pet to the household, but for the many thousands of animals currently stuck in many full-to-bursting centres, who will now have many new opportunities to find loving adopters.

“Pet ownership is such a big commitment – but can be so rewarding.

“At the RSPCA, we are celebrating that the Renters’ Rights Act will facilitate happier, healthier tenants right across the country – and help us tackle a pet rehoming crisis.”

In recent weeks, the RSPCA has been working with the UK Government to highlight what the new law could mean for prospective pet owners.

And the new legislation also means many existing pet owners will no longer face the heartbreaking choice between keeping their beloved animal and getting a new roof over their heads.

David added: “There are gut-wrenching examples of people having to surrender their pets to access somewhere to live, because their tenancy agreement will not allow pets.

“Thankfully, those situations too will soon be a thing of the past.”

Do you have problems owning a pet? Let us know in the comments

After two trials, the former Spandau Ballet singer was remanded in custody, with Judge John Dodd KC ordering a report in February to assess the danger Davidson would pose in the future, setting his sentencing date as Thursday, April 30.

This morning, the 37-year-old appeared at Wood Green Crown Court in London, where he received his sentence.

In a statement shared with Metro, Shikha Verma, senior Crown prosecutor in CPS London, said: “Ross Davidson is a predatory sex offender who targeted multiple victims over a number of years.

A former frontman of Spandau Ballet who carried out a string of rapes and sexual assaults has been jailed for 14 years. Ross Davidson from Aberdeen – who was part of the 80s group in 2018 and 2019 – attacked six women over several years.

— LBC News Scotland (@LBCNewsScot) April 30, 2026

“Several of these offences were committed against women while they were asleep.

“I want to pay tribute to the victims for their immense courage in supporting the prosecution, and Davidson has now been held accountable for his horrific crimes.

“We understand the courage it takes for victims to come forward and would like to reassure any victims that the CPS will continue to work tirelessly with partners across the criminal justice system to ensure sexual abusers face the full extent of the law.”

Davidston insisted that his contact with the women, whom he met on the Tinder dating app, was always consensual and described himself as ‘sex positive’.

He told the court earlier this year that this was about “open dialogue, open-mindedness about people’s predilections, just an openness to trying different sexual appetites”.

This could include bondage, restraint, and group sex, and he had “once or twice” attended a sex party.

In contrast, the court heard that he carried out the assaults because he felt he could get “sex on demand” if he wasn’t “given what he thought he deserved”.

Prosecutor Richard Hearnden said Davidson had been thought of as “a bit of a sex symbol”.

Two of the victims said he had a “much darker side”.

One woman told the jury that Davidson attacked her while she was asleep in his bed and recalled feeling “helpless” and “scared to react”.

Before assaulting her, Davidson “mentioned he liked the idea of having sex with a mannequin, a person in a helpless state, someone not moving”.

Oxford will go to the polls on May 7, in what is likely to be the last ever election for the city council.

There will be 24 seats up for grabs, one in every ward.

Below is the statement shared by Reform, and there are more to come from the other parties and groups fighting for votes in the city.

For Reform UK Oxford, Felix Bloomfield shared the following pitch:

Oxfordshire is in crisis. We need common sense governance for our county.

Oxford city, our historic market towns and beautiful countryside are all under serious threat from ineptly run councils at all levels across the county. Reform UK brings common sense – putting Oxfordshire families, workers and communities first.

Housing and Planning – For too many years our district council planning authorities have been in chaos allowing unwanted speculative housing developments with no new infrastructure. We oppose the destruction of our precious countryside and believe new homes should be on brownfield sites first, genuinely affordable for local people on local wages.

Transport and Infrastructure – Oxford’s roads are in gridlock, especially the ring-road as cars are forced out of the city centre and Botley Road remains closed due to the building of a railway bridge that has taken longer to build than the Eiffel Tower.

The establishment parties that run Oxfordshire County Council and the City Council push for a fantasy Carbon Free Oxford by 2040 in the meantime introducing unwanted Low Traffic Neighbourhoods, Zero Emission Zones, Workplace Parking and a Congestion Charge. All these costly policies bring misery to hard working families and business owners. Reform would scrap them all.

Education and Young People – Oxfordshire’s schools have falling standards and those families with children with Special Educational Needs have been seriously let down across the County. Reform UK supports knowledge based education free from gender ideology and climate alarmism. 

NHS and Social Care – We will scrap wasteful bureaucracy focusing resources on treating patients, cutting waiting lists, and supporting our brilliant doctors and nurses. We will also fight to stop those in need or family crisis paying to park at our hospitals. Reform is needed to support the elderly and families without bankrupting councils.

Farming, Environment & Energy – Oxfordshire is a rural county and for too long has seen Oxford centric bureaucracy. Our farmers feed us. Reform rejects net-zero policies that are wrecking British agriculture while we import food with lower standards from abroad. We support local food production, and an end to unfair inheritances taxes on family farms. 

Immigration & Asylum – Oxfordshire has welcomed many small boat arrivals and asylum hotel costs drain resources from social housing, our NHS and schools. Hotels must be reopened for Oxfordshire tourists and locals to help the local economy. British people should come first in housing, jobs and services.

Lets take back control of Oxfordshire.