Within cities, it is virtually impossible to be considered for a rental property if you have a pet. This leaves many responsible tenants like myself either;

a) unable to find a home without rehoming their pet or

b) having to consider concealing the fact they have a pet, just to be chosen for viewings and be considered by a landlord.

The rental market in cities like Bristol is highly competitive with viewing slots often being filled within hours of the property being listed. Most of these properties are advertised with the condition 'no pets' or, if they aren't, when you call to enquire you are told pets are not considered. 

If you're lucky enough to find a property where the landlord says they will consider pets, the competition is so fierce that unless you are prepared to offer (sometimes significantly) over the asking value it is unlikely you will be chosen by the landlord, or it is more likely the landlord will choose a tenant without a pet.

I think it should be made illegal to ask responsible applicants who can provide references and meet the application criteria to disclose if they have a pet and it should be made illegal for rental contracts for residential properties to stipulate 'no pets'. This would avoid any applicants continuing to be discriminated against for owning a pet and would make the rental market a much more level playing field for responsible people like myself who own a pet and simply cannot find a home.