Pressure grows on landlords to allow pets

Moves to make it easier for tenants to have cats and dogs in rental homes, are gaining momentum after lockdown has highlighted the mental health benefits of pet ownership.

The charity Cats Protection claims that 1 million UK households would like to give a home to a cat, but can’t because they live in rented accommodation. Currently, just 7% of rental properties are advertised as being pet-friendly.

Earlier in the year, Conservative MP Andrew Rosindell introduced a private members bill to parliament, aimed at limiting landlords’ ability to add pet bans to the tenancy agreements of responsible owners.

Mr Rosindell said: “Pets have been a lifeline to so many in lockdown. They mean structure, companionship and genuine love and affection. Yet the most in need of a pet – those in rented accommodation, particularly those living alone – have hit a wall of ‘no-pets’ clauses.”

In January the government re-issued its model tenancy agreement template for landlords. The agreement now makes consent for pets the default position, unless landlords object in writing giving a good reason. However, use of the agreements is voluntary.

A main objection to allowing pets is the fear that damage caused will not be covered by a tenancy deposit. Since the introduction of the Tenant Fees Act in 2019, landlords are not allowed to charge additional fees or deposits to make good any pet-related issues.

According to The National Residential Landlords Association: “There is often more risk of damage to a property where there is a pet. This is compounded by legislation which means they are unable to reflect the heightened risk in such situations in the deposit that is charged.”

But the charity AdvoCATS, which helps tenants convince their landlords to allow them to have pets, has called for the act to be amended. Its founder Jen Berezai wants landlords to be able to require pet-owning tenants to take out special damage insurance.

Read more about this story in the Guardian.