You were often in the doghouse if you brought your canine chum to a rentals property, but times are changing, says Lisa Cavanagh-Smith, head of lettings at Carter Jonas' Holland Park office.

“At the premium end, pets can be a major issue. We have families looking for homes, often on a temporary basis, because they’re between selling and buying. Many of these already have pets and want to keep them.”

The Association of Residential Letting Agents (ARLA) is broadly supportive of allowing pets in homes, but admits it is difficult to change landlords' attitudes.

There is no obligation for landlords to accept pets, although insurance policies available now make it more palatable to sceptical landlords. Contents insurance policies have specific clauses for pets in tenancies and the extra cost can be passed onto the tenants. Tenants too can take out their own insurance to cover pet damage to help put a landlord’s mind at rest.

“We have several examples of families who weren’t sure whether they’d be able to take their dogs into rented homes, and in all cases we were able to strike deals, with in some cases increased rents being paid. This satisfied both landlord and tenants – and their dogs for that matter,” adds Lisa.

Taking your animals with you is only one issue affecting the current rentals market, points out Ian Gardiner from John Wilcox & Co, also in Holland Park.

“We have some great family homes to let right now, but this sector is quiet. People have to be competitive and flexible due to an over-supply, which means landlords are undercutting each other and creating a price war,” he says.

Shorter lets to locals waiting to buy is another new trend. “Also, landlords are spending a fortune to upgrade property on renewals, to keep tenants happy,” adds Gardiner.