Renting with Pets

With a competitive UK rental market, using a relocation agent is less of a luxury and more of a necessity. They act as a broker. They offer local knowledge as well as property expertise. They represent their clients and will honestly advise on the pros and cons of a property. People forget that an estate agent represents the landlord and some can be more about getting the ‘deal’ done.

At Pets Lets, we specialise in clients relocating with their pets to the UK. When there is more than one pet or a large dog, you would be surprised how many landlords suddenly say no to renting with pets. Click here to read more.

Relocating to London from the US or anywhere in the world with a pet is a stressful process. At Pets Lets, we specialise in UK pets & property. We work with trusted third parties. Check out Phonenix Luxury Stays . South West London’s leading pet friendly short term rental provider. For stays over a month, no pets charge when you quote Pets Lets.

Whether you are relocating to the UK with or without a pet, renting a UK property can be complicated.

We are not just talking about the ‘red tape’ of visas and pet travel companies with the extra requirements of vaccinations. There is the other dilemma of I don’t want my pet to be put in hold, shall I fly to Paris instead of London? Something a lot of people ask about and like everything with relocating takes meticulous planning. There are companies that will pick you up with your pets from Paris and drive you through the Euro Tunnel, have a look at Pet Moves to find out more. A chauffeur service for you and your pet(s).

London is generally a dog friendly city to live in. We have The Royal Parks, including Hyde Park, Regents Park & Primrose Hill, Greenwich Park, Bushy Park and Richmond Park. Few other major cities in the world have such open as well as central ‘green spaces’ for dogs to roam.

The Dogvine and The Londog are great websites to give dog owners an insight into the London dog world. Where you can go, meet other fellow dog owners, have a meal or shop with your dog as well as events going on in and out of the capital. Knowing where dogs are allowed in London is important. A tip is to look out for a dog bowl outside a shop.

Pets are part of the family. You would not leave them behind. Whether you are moving within or to the UK with your dog or cat from abroad, they come with you. Pet relocation is a complicated process anyway without changing rules and regulations plus throw in covid flight restrictions and Brexit.

Naturally after 1 January 2021 with Brexit, everything has changed and there has been a lot of uncertainty. To be safe it is always good to start off by following official UK Government pet relocation guidelines.Also have a look at the UK Government Website for official advice which outlines assistance and guide dogs are an exception.

When I was a search agent in London for over 20 years, it was all about location, location, location. Even when looking at new build flats, will the unit have a decent view. Location within a building was just as important. Make sure your buy to let stands out from the rest. River views or a unit that not face directly on to another building.

Buying a buy to let is a big investment and for many landlords it is their pension. Important to get it right. Therefore, there is a reluctance by landlords to allow any tenants that might damage the property. Students, tenants with pets fall into those categories of high risk.

The important point is how do you get over that mindset about pets and damage. At Pets Lets, we set up a Pets & Property Tips Facebook Group to help tenants with pets and advise landlords on the merits of allowing cats and dogs. Landlords and pet owners have more in common than they think.

The Irresponsible Minority of Pet owners & Landlords, tarnish their reputations.

As the Founder of Pets Lets, a Pet Friendly Property Portal, a landlord and pet owner, as well as a property search agent for over 20 years, I have a lot of experience dealing with landlords and agents.

Just like pet owners, landlords are also passionate about this topic. Landlords do not like being told what to do. That is the nature of the sector. There are solutions and it is about how you approach it. I will post a list of tips on communicating with and understanding landlords to help.

The UK is a pet loving nation. Around 50% of the UK population owns a pet, whether it be a dog, cat, guinea pig, snake, rabbit or bird. Of course, you want to have your pet live under the same roof. They are part of the family. So why in the UK, does the combination of pets & property not work properly.

At the moment, the landlord can say no to a tenant who is residing in the property and wishes to have a dog or cat. The landlord has final say and a pet’s clause must be inserted into the tenancy agreement.

The suggested model, requires landlords to give a good reason why, say a dog, should not be allowed. A landlord or letting agent would ‘have to prove’ a pet would cause damage to a property.

With rising housing costs and unaffordability of getting on the housing ladder a growing issue, people are renting for longer. A growing proportion of people rent with pets who bring them joy, happiness and improve mental health during difficult times

Travelling & Renting with your Pet(s) to and from the UK within the EU

As we now know the old UK-issued EU pet passport will be invalid for travel into the EU from 1st January.

This is being replaced with the Animal Health Certificate (AHC) which needs to be issued within 10 days before each entry into the EU and lasts for 4 months whilst you are there. If you take several trips with your pets you will need a new AHC each time. Also you are not allowed into the UK with more than 5 pets unless they are for a show, competition or sporting event.

Based on the assumption that the pet has the necessary valid rabies inoculations, be wary of the fact that the cost of the Animal Health Certificate (AHC) can vary considerably, with vet quotes varying from £70, £100, £120 to £184 and even over £230.

The Brexit transition, like anything new, brings with it a lot of uncertainty. There are stories of British people in the press who are resident in Spain and yet are being denied a return back to Spain despite agreement between the mutual governments. Here paperwork and ‘red tape’ has created a barrier. The same applies to traveling with pets. Make sure you look at the UK Government Website, as this is the best form of advice and is official.

At Pets Lets we are all about renting with your pets in London. If you don’t own your own property, renting with a dog or cat can be a problematic. Only 15% of London landlords say yes to pets. Unlike many other European countries, such as France, Germany, Belgium, where renting with a dog is seen as a ‘norm’, the UK is the complete opposite. Whether you are flying in from overseas, moving within London or moving into London, allow more time to find a dog friendly rental in London. You will be surprised how many agents and landlords say no pets.

According to a Pets Mag Survey carried out in 2020, commissioned by Channel 5 in conjunction with the adaptation of ‘All Creature Great & Small’, 51% of those surveyed named the dog as their favourite with 38% preferring cats.

The UK is indeed a dog and cat loving nation. The love of dogs originated from Victorian times as they were seen as loyal, gave people status as well as an emotional attachment.

Now over 20m dogs and cats have a loving place in our homes. Circa 1 in 2 UK households have a pet. That is a staggering statistic; yet in London only 15% of Landlords are pet friendly. The Capital is filled with blocks which have antiquated no pets clauses. Renting with dogs in London in many areas, particularly in Zone 1, can be problematic.

Pets Lets Pets Transfer & Property Relocation Service. Pets are part of the family. It is like having another child. You cannot expect someone to leave behind a member of the family. Cats and dogs in general, exercise outside and then sleep most of the day. Most owners spend a lot of time training their dogs, making them far more responsible than adults without pets.

Unfortunately, the majority of London and UK landlords, particularly in the cities, do not see it that way. To them dogs make a mess, damage the furniture and annoy the neighbours. It they can have a tenant without a pet, then much easier. An outdated way of thinking and something we at Pets Lets and other pets professionals are trying to change.

How to find pet friendly rentals

Dog and cat friendly London rentals

A Really Happy Pets Lets Relocation client

How to find pet friendly London rentals

Information About The UK Pet Arrival Process