Homes with a balcony saw the second biggest rise in demand, up by 70%, while the need for parking was found to be up by 48%, gardens by 39% and properties with all bills included by 38%.

Tim Bannister, director of property data at Rightmove, said: “The rise in pet ownership during the lockdown periods has been well documented, and we’re seeing this translate to the rental market.

“Becoming a pet owner is a long-term commitment, so what’s really interesting to consider is the impact this could have on the rental market in the future, and it’s a signal to landlords that if they were to consider allowing a well-behaved pet then it may open them up to a bigger pool of potential tenants.”