Renting With Pets – New Rules

Under the new Model Tenancy Agreement, announced by the Housing Minister Rt Hon Christopher Pincher MP. Property landlords will no longer be able to issue a blanket ban on renting with pets.

Furthermore, consent for pets is now considered as the default position. Furthermore, landlords will have to object in writing within 28 days of a written pet request from a tenant and provide a good reason.

Until the new legislation was announced it was estimated that just 7% of private landlords advertised pet-friendly properties.

In some cases, this has meant people have had to give up their pets altogether.

Furthermore, creating an additional strain on animal charities caring for unwanted pets.

Therefore the new legislation will no doubt be welcome news by many charities.

The Model Tenancy Agreement is the government’s recommended contract for landlords.

With figures showing that more than half of adults in the United Kingdom own a pet and many more welcoming pets into their lives during the pandemic.

These changes mean more landlords will cater to responsible pet owners.

Under the new agreement, rejections should only be made where there is good reason, such as in smaller properties or flats where owning a pet could be impractical.

To ensure landlords are protected, tenants will continue to have a legal duty to repair or cover the cost of any damage to the property.