Government to make it easier for renters in England to keep pets
Thousands of individuals have welcomed pets to their lives since the start of pandemic, but many renters have long been excluded from pet ownership due to landlords refusing to permit them within their properties.
Now, though, that may be set to alter, with new government guidance potentially making it simpler for renters in England to have pets.
Here, Which? explains how the new guidance will work while offering suggestions about how the rules vary around the UK.
Government to learn effectively to book with pets
The government has updated its model tenancy agreement to include consent for tenants to have pets.
In practice, this means that landlords who use the standard deal for rented properties won’t be able to issue blanket bans on their tenants having pets.
Instead, they’ll need to object on paper within 28 days of the tenant making a ‘pet request’ and supply a good reason for turning on the request.
The government says it's made the modification because just 7% of landlords currently offer pet-friendly properties.
Housing minister Christopher Pincher said: ‘It cannot be right that only a tiny fraction of landlords advertise pet-friendly properties, and in some cases individuals have had to quit their beloved pets to find somewhere to live.
‘[These changes] strike the best balance between helping more and more people look for a home you heard right for them as well as their pet while ensuring landlords' properties are safeguarded against inappropriate or badly behaved pets.’
How does the model tenancy agreement work?
The model tenancy agreement may be the government’s recommended agreement for landlords letting out their properties in England.
It’s important to point out that the model agreement isn’t compulsory, so landlords who draft their own tenancy agreements or use different templates for their contracts will still be able to reject pets out of hand.
Landlords who do use the model agreement will only be in a position to object against tenants having pets for good reasons – for instance in smaller flats where having a large pet could be considered impractical.
The government says it's protecting landlords by requiring that tenants have a legal duty to repair or cover the cost of any damage to the property.
Tenant group welcomes new guidance
The tenant rights group Generation Rent has welcomed the move, but has expressed concerns that some tenants won’t possess the confidence to ask their landlord about using a pet.
Dan Wilson Craw of Generation Rent says: ‘Not being allowed to have a pet is just one of many indignities private renters encounter while trying to navigate the housing market.
‘Lifestyle choices shouldn’t be at the mercy of landlords, who must have reasonable to deny their tenants a dog.
‘To provide this protection any teeth, the government must get moving on intends to reform tenancies to ensure that tenants possess the security and also the confidence to ask for a pet.’
Landlords and letting agents criticise rule change
Not everyone is pleased with the change. In the past, landlords would usually charge tenants with pets a greater deposit to insure themselves against any harm to the property.
This is not permitted in England underneath the terms of the Tenant Fees Act, which capped tenancy deposits at five weeks’ rent if this has been around since June 2021.
A National Residential Landlords Association spokesperson said: ‘We recognise the significance of pets in providing companionship, especially to those living by themselves.
‘However, pets aren't always suitable in certain properties, for example large dogs in small flats without gardens, and there's often more a risk of damage to a property high is really a pet.
‘We call on the government to enable the amount at which deposits are set to become more flexible to reflect this greater risk. We are also calling for a tenant either to have pet insurance or to pay the landlord so that it is allowed as a requirement for a tenancy where relevant.’
The estate agent trade group Propertymark said that ‘even the best-behaved pets may have an effect on the property and also the government must recognise the impact of its decision to cap deposits’.
How to book having a pet
Generally speaking, if you wish to bring a pet to a rented property – or purchase one after relocating – you’ll desire to make an instance for your landlord for doing so.
While it might sound ridiculous in writing, getting a reference for the pet from previous landlords and writing a pet CV including information on vaccinations and veterinary contacts may help give the landlord confidence that you’re a conscientious owner.
One of the best ways to ease doubts would be to satisfy the landlord in person and produce your pet along. In case your landlord agrees you can preserve a dog, it’s important to have this written in towards the contract to protect you against any issues further down the line.
If you’re beginning to search for a pet-friendly property, it’s worth talking to lettings agents in your area about your options, as property portals might not allow you to narrow your search right down to homes that allow pets.
Renting with pets: rules round the UK
Wherever you’re renting in the united kingdom you’ll need to get written consent from your landlord to keep a pet.
As we mentioned earlier, landlords in England can’t charge higher deposits for people with pets – however in some instances you may find that landlords look to cover themselves by charging higher rents for pet-friendly properties.
In Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, however, landlords and letting agents can ask for an additional pet deposit. Any extra deposit should be made clear for you before you agree to sign anything, and the money should be in a protected scheme along with your standard tenancy deposit.
