Judges to rule on whether tenants in England have right to keep a pet

The proposed bill ‘requires landlords not to unreasonably withhold consent’ to keep a pet. Photograph: Back in the Pack/Getty Images

Is a tank full of snakes in a bedsit OK? Would three St Bernard dogs in a two-bedroom flat be too much?

Judges are to be asked to rule on whether private landlords can “reasonably” deny a tenant’s request to keep a pet, under sweeping reforms to the private rented sector facing a key parliamentary debate on Monday.