Survey Backs Calls for Pets in Rentals

Moves to allow more tenants to have pets in rental properties have been endorsed by research from Battersea – the animal welfare charity behind Battersea Cats and Dogs Home.

According to the survey of 2,000 tenants, 76 per cent would like a pet, or have one already, with a third citing mental health benefits as their reason for wanting a cat or dog.

Currently, only seven per cent of private landlords list their properties as allowing animals. But the government’s recent White Paper on rental reform includes proposals to give tenants formal rights to request a pet. Landlords would need to provide a good reason for refusing the request.

Peter Laurie, Battersea’s chief executive, said: “With long-term renting firmly on the rise, we’re calling on the government to do more to increase the number of pet friendly homes across the country.”

The charity’s views are backed by landlord Dominic Payne de Cramilly, who has dogs and cats of his own. He said: “I’ve been a landlord for a quarter of a century and have had far more issues with humans causing damage in my properties than I’ve ever had with pets.”

The research is part of Battersea’s current Pet Friendly Properties campaign. Among the charity’s recommendations to the government is the need to inform landlords and tenants about insurance against pet damage. The charity’s research shows that 70 per cent of landlords would feel more inclined to allow pets if they felt the property was adequately insured.

Read more about this story on the Landlord Today website.