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By 2025, it is estimated 40% of the UK population will be renting. In London alone that figure is set to increase to 60%. Currently 50% of the UK population has a pet. 30% of pet owners do not declare their pet(s) to their landlords. Hundreds of pets a year are returned to shelters because landlords say no. Refusing pet friendly accommodation has a negative effect on society.
In the UK, basically landlords are afraid of what they don’t know. A pet means damage to many and they hear horror stories. Unlike the other afore mentioned countries, a UK landlord cannot ask for a bigger deposit, add a request for pet insurance and a deep clean to be written into the tenancy agreement. Unlike their counterparts overseas, their hands are tied. Yet it is forecast that by 2025, 60% of the UK population will own a pet. With a younger ‘generation rent’, that is over half the available tenants. Something has to change. The recent suggestive approach by the UK government is not enough and it needs to be regulated.
Pets Lets is a London-based pet-friendly property portal with over 20 years of experience. They help pet owners find pet-friendly rentals and also offer a UK relocation service, as well as advice and tips for pet owners.
At Pets Lets, our network of UK relocation consultants are constantly speaking to agents and landlords across the country about pet friendly properties. We are so passionate about the subject of renting with pets in the UK that we have set up a Pets and Property Tips Facebook Group where we can offer professional advice.
Questionable Extra Fees for Tenants with pets
Otherwise known as pet rents, pet owners are finding themselves charged an extra rent per month for a pet, ranging from £20 – 50 per month. Finding pet friendly accommodation or landlords that will consider renting to people with pets can be tricky. Adding another fee on top is too much. It is merely a backlash because of the 2019 tenant Fees Act which made the landlord absorb some of the tenant’s costs. People renting with pets is an obvious way to recoup those costs.
We have even come across an Estate Agent trying to charge dog background checks
Summary of changes in UK legislation in renting with pets
As the Founder of Pets Lets, a Landlord, pet owner, a property search agent for over 20 years, I have a lot of experience dealing with landlords and agents.
I came across a person recently who has a dog and rents out a property. They agreed that is hard to find a property that allows pets, but as a landlord they would not allow people with pets. You would hope that a fellow dog owner would be a more sympathetic landlord.
We are so passionate about the subject of renting with pets in the UK that we have set up a Pets and Property Tips Facebook Group where we can offer pet owners struggling to find a pet friendly place, professional advice.