Rightmove searches for rental properties that allow pets have plummeted since the Renters Rights Act came into force in May.

The portal has told the BBC that following the introduction of the new rules, pet searches dropped by more than 50% in May and June compared with a year earlier.

Under the act, landlords in England cannot unreasonably refuse pets in their properties, but the BBC reports that agents say some renters wrongly believe permission to have a pet is guaranteed.

“Landlords must consider requests fairly and cannot unreasonably refuse them, but they can still decline where there is a valid reason” the corporation is told by Megan Eighteen, former president of lettings agents trade body ARLA Propertymark.

She said there was plenty of “potential for misunderstanding”, among tenants about pet-friendly properties.

The Rightmove data supplied to the BBC suggests that while pets remain the most common searched-for term overall – ahead of gardens, garages and furnishings, the lead at the top is shrinking.

Renter searches for properties that allow pets fell by 54% in May and 52% in June compared with the same months a year earlier.

Landlords or agents acting on their behalf may still be able to refuse a pet if another tenant has an allergy, the property is too small for a large pet or several pets, the pet is illegal, or the landlord is a leaseholder and the freeholder does not allow pets.

Lesley Horton, The Property Ombudsman, is quoted by the BBC as saying pet surcharges would fall outside permitted fees for issues such as late payments or lost key replacements.

However, a landlord could make deductions from the tenancy deposit at the end of the tenancy for proven pet-related damage.