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“We tell landlords they have to consider tenants with pets. Demand is too high to ignore. We see this changing a lot in 2022 with more pet friendly properties coming on. Competition is tough though against people without pets.” North London Agent, August 2021.

”We see an increasing number of landlords saying yes to a small dog or house cat and being won over by cute images.” Pets Lets Relocation Consultants

Did you also know that after lockdown, 80% of prospective tenants asked that no pets clauses be removed from tenancy agreements as they were thinking of adopting a pet. That figure has now dropped to as little as 10% as many landlords refused to remove the clause and open their doors to renting to people with pets.

A recent article in the Evening Standard highlighted how 2 in 5 UK households bought a puppy over lockdown. Look at it another way; that is 40% of UK households. A huge pool of potential tenants.

Also according to the {Pet Manufacturers Association](https://www.pfma.org.uk/news/pfma-releases-latest-pet-population-data), by 2025, it is predicted that 59% of millennials and generation z will have pets. The UK is increasingly becoming like mainland Europe, where an increasing number of younger people are having to rent. People can no longer afford to get on the housing ladder.

If individual as well as portfolio landlords do not start to consider allowing pets, they will lose out to an increasing number of build to rent companies as well as big companies investing in the UK residential property sector. Lloyds Bank is heavily investing in property and has set up a separate company called Citra Living. They see the evolving needs of tenants, including those with pets.

Amend Tenant Fees Act to make bringing pets into rented accommodation easier, say MPs, peers and campaigners

A cross-party group of over 35 MPs and peers have joined leading pet charities and landlord associations have penned an open letter.pdf to Robert Jenrick, Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, urging him to amend the Tenant Fees Act after new research demonstrated the negative impact the Act has had on pets in rented accommodation.

New data in a report being published tomorrow, “Heads for Tails”, by pet charity AdvoCATS, finds that almost one in five landlords who previously allowed pets in rented accommodation have stopped doing so since the passage of the Tenant Fees Act in 2019. This is because, as the report explains, “the Act effectively prohibits landlords from asking for pet damage insurance and it fails to include a separate pet deposit as part of its list of permitted payments.” As a result, many landlords have imposed a blanket ban on pets or increased rent for pet owners.

The report finds that public opinion and industry opinion among landlords would favour the introduction of pet deposits and pet damage insurance. Over half of pet-owners would be willing to take out pet damage insurance if required by a landlord and three-quarters of landlords support pet insurance according to the research.

Buying with Pets in the UK

We all know that Renting with dogs is an issue. However, did you know that the same rules apply in blocks and leasehold properties if you buy the property with your pet? There really is no difference. No pets clauses in buildings apply regardless of whether you are renting in the building or own the property.

When pets are allowed in a building or you own the freehold, then it is the discretion of the landlord whether they will rent to people with pets. That is a different matter and is a personal decision. We come across dog owners, who sympathise with fellow dog owners, yet when it comes to their own rental properties they say no to pets.

Buying with pets is not something people talk about. The assumption is I own the property, I am therefore allowed my dog or cat. Even people when renting out their properties, some do not know if pets are permitted in the block or not. When agents raise the question if pets are allowed, many times owners do not know. Not something that has occurred to them if they do not have a dog or cat themselves.

However, what would happen to those homeowners who got a pet over lockdown in violation of the leases? Just like a tenant, they could be evicted out of their own homes, as they are breaking the terms of the lease.

The same applies to buying a property as a pet owner. Unless the property is a freehold house, there may be an issue. If you can’t find out yourself, contact the building managing agents direct or ask your solicitor to raise the question right at the beginning of the process.

My advice before incurring any costs, check that pets are allowed in the block. Perhaps to do your own research in addition to listening to the estate agent. It could be a costly mistake.

At Pets Lets we love Wagit. Walking with your dog, a cafe has a sign saying they allow dogs. What you do not know is that dogs are only allowed outside and not inside. With the recent downpours that is not ideal. Both you and your dog would get drenched in the pouring rain. Hardly 100% dog friendly.

Wagit is an online booking platform for dogs and their humans, WagIt sniffs out the best places to go for drinks, food and grooms in London and lets you easily book them online. But more than that, they are a community and are changing the way dog parents are welcomed in society.

The website allows people to search and book pre-approved dog friendly venues. They have Restaurants, Gaucho, Pachamama’s, Humble Grape, Hilton Hotels, Groomers - all already bookable on the platform. The private hire cab company Addison Lee chose WagIt as exclusive partner for their dog bookings.

Humanisation of our Pets

Over lockdown, the British population has turned to pets for comfort. In fact there are 3.2m new pet owners. Of that 59% have been under the age of 35 years old and it has been predicted that by 2025, 1 in 3 pet owners will be millennials. 51% of the UK dog population weighs less than 10kg, with the most popular breeds being Yorkshire Terriers, Mini-Dachshunds and Chihuahuas.

In 2020, the Petcare market was £2.9bn in the UK. In comparison the UK baby & toddler market was £920m.

An interesting emerging statistic is that pet owners spend 26% more when they shop then non-pet owners. People spoil their pets just like you would a child. Children and pets are both bought ‘treats’ and are pampered with gifts.

Dogs & Cats are people’s children

There are strong everyday correlations between children and pets:

• Take your dog to the groomer and your child to the barber. Sniffe & Likkit are purveyors of fine pet care. A fantastic brand with dog gifts and grooming treats. Perfect gifts for your dog as well as gifts for your fellow pet owning friends. Biscuit, a beagle/basset and the Co-Founder of Pets Lets, loves the Paw Balm and The Give A Dog Cologne.

For a hound, that is quite something as she does not normally like pleasant smells! Sniffe & Likkit are a prime example of the rise of upmarket pet brands. This proves the point of how much people are spending on their pets. Pet owners are demanding more than ‘bog standard’ products for their cats and dogs.

• You see a growing number of dog ‘boutiques’ just like children clothes ‘boutiques’.
• There has been an increase in organic/ healthy dog & cat foods just like toddler foods.
• Just like there are child activities and babysitters, there are dog sitters, dog walkers and dog boarding homes when you are away from home.
• Go shopping for your dog or child. There are shops full of the latest pet and child accessories and toys. People cycle with their dogs just like a baby seat.
• When you go abroad, people will arrange a pet passport just like you would apply for a child’s passport.
• With many when they meet up with friends, the dog is doted on just like a child.
• The Dogs Trust slogan of a A Dog is for life mirrors that of a child. It is a big decision and not to be taken lightly. Both children and dogs are given up for adoption when people cannot cope.
• Having a dog in particular, is like having another child. Your children go to school and then your dog comes over to you and literally says ‘what about me’. I need a walk.
• With Millennials and Generation Z, many see having a pet as an introduction to having a child later. You are responsible for another ‘family member’, behaviour/ training, nutrition and their general welfare. It prepares people’s mindset for having children. You become more aware of what to anticipate.
• The final point which sums it up. 72% of pet owners refer to themselves as the pets Mum or Dad.