Proposed changes to laws on private rental accommodation will give tenants the right to request permission to share their home with a pet. We look at what it will mean for renters and landlords.
Earlier this summer the government published proposals aimed at improving the rights and conditions of tenants in private rental accommodation.
Alongside plans including a ban on ‘no-fault’ evictions and stronger powers for tenants to challenge unjustified rent increases was a proposal to make it easier for renters to keep a pet in their property.
The government-commissioned English Private Landlord Survey 2021 found that 45 per cent of landlords were unwilling to let to tenants with pets. Whether this is down to a perceived increased risk of damage to their property, the potential for a pet to be a nuisance to neighbours, or other reasons, it deprives millions of people of the opportunity to enrich their lives through the companionship of a much-loved pet. .
If passed, the new legislation will give all tenants the right to request a pet in their accommodation – a request which landlords must consider and cannot unreasonably refuse.
What it means if you’re a tenant
Some landlords advertise properties as ‘no pets allowed’, and under today’s laws, that’s fine. There’s nothing to stop you asking the landlord if you can have a pet once you’re living in their property – but there’s no requirement for them to consider this request and they can refuse without giving any reason.
If the proposed legislation goes ahead, landlords mustn’t advertise blanket bans on pets. They must consider any requests for a pet in the property and cannot unreasonably withhold their consent.
Things to be aware of:
- The new law, if passed, won’t give you an automatic right to have a pet in your home – you must ask the landlord’s permission, whether you already live in the property or are preparing to move in.
- Your landlord may ask you to take out pet insurance as a condition of accepting your request, to cover the cost of any potential damage your furry friend might cause. This will be within their rights under the proposed legislation so you’ll need to factor in the ongoing cost of this as part of your plans for pet ownership.
And if you’re a landlord?
While the new law will mean you can’t put an overall ban on tenants having a pet in your property, it doesn’t give tenants the absolute right to keep one.
However, you should carefully consider whether your property can accommodate a pet and only reject a request with good reason. While the government hasn’t yet outlined what such reasons might be, they could include – for example – that a proposed pet isn’t suitable because of the size of the property (or the size of the pet!), or because there is a strong likelihood the pet will create noise that will disrupt neighbours.
If you’re worried about potential damage being caused to your property as a result of a pet you will be able to request that your tenant takes out pet insurance.
It may also be wise to obtain evidence of the condition of the property prior to your tenant acquiring a pet, whether through photos or an inventory that describes the pre-pet condition of any furniture, fixtures and fittings.
The planned legislation is likely to be welcome news to many renters – more than half of UK households already own at least one pet, and pet ownership is accessible to more people than ever before, thanks to the rise of flexible working and home working.
And it doesn’t need to be bad news for landlords, even if you have previously been disinclined to accept requests to keep a pet. Managed well, it could result in happier renters who stay in your property – with their animal companion – for the long term, maximising your returns without any downsides.
