Animal welfare campaigners are celebrating after the Renters' Rights Bill received Royal Assent meaning more pets can remain with their owners. Leading charity Battersea declared the change in the law an 'important victory'. The legislation puts an end to blanket pet bans among the rental market. Battersea said the bill’s passage into law follows years of campaigning by the charity and its supporters, who have long called for fairer rental policies to keep families and their pets together and help renters welcome a pet into their home. Peter Laurie, Battersea's chief executive, said: "Today marks a very significant milestone for pets and their owners across England. "The passing of the Renters' Rights Act ensures that blanket pet bans will no longer be an obstacle to pet ownership, opening homes to millions of responsible tenants and their animals. "At Battersea, we've long campaigned for this change. "We've seen firsthand the heartbreak caused by restrictive housing policies, of families forced to choose between keeping a home and keeping their beloved pets. "Now, more people will be able to enjoy the companionship and wellbeing benefits pets bring, regardless of whether they rent or own their home." With the number of renters rising in the UK Battersea said the new law could not have come soon enough for the countless owners who have been forced to give up their pets due to restrictive rental policies. Cases include three-year-old Shadow, a Labrador Greyhound mix, who arrived at Battersea's London centre in September after her previous owners' landlord decided they no longer wanted any pets in the house. Shadow has now found a home, but, with the new legislation in place, stories like Shadow's should become far less common. Battersea said that despite the new Act work remains to ensure the rental market becomes truly inclusive for pets and their owners. Mr Laurie said: "While the bill marks real progress in creating a fairer rental sector for tenants, landlords, and pets, there is still more to be done to strengthen the legislation's pet provisions. "Battersea remains committed to working with the Government to see these improvements through and ensure a future where every tenant can experience the joys of pet ownership." To find out more about the Renters' Rights Act, and for guidance on renting with pets, visit Battersea (opens new tab).