As the Founder of Pets Lets I am all about UK pet friendly properties, whether you are renting or indeed buying.
The property portals such as Rightmove rarely say they are pet friendly. The term pet friendly is so generic. The term itself is so broad and vague that it’s hard for these platforms to track, often because there’s little to no detailed information provided, or the agent simply hasn’t asked the landlord the question.
Many estate agents don’t understand it. When it comes to pets, it is more complicated. It is more emotional as we love our pets. When having calls with pet owners from all over the world, people like to show their cats and dogs. It’s pawsome 😊.
Bespoke pet friendly properties (One pet does not fit all properties)
Some landlords prefer cats, especially house cats. Others allow only small dogs. Some buildings are cats only.
I’ve been there, seen it, done it. Recently I had a US family relocating to West Sussex. There was another interested family and the landlord decided to interview both parties. My client was fortunately in the UK that week. We had their Renters Profile document all pre-prepared. I had talked them through it. Luckily the landlord liked them and said yes.
Another client had a retriever cross and a house cat. We agreed a pet friendly flat in Kensington & Chelsea in London. The main condition from the landlord was that if the carpet was damaged in the living room, it would be replaced at the end of the tenancy.
Every property and the terms differ when it comes to pets. That is why I offer a bespoke service. Having been a former estate agent as well as buying & rental agent for over 20 years before setting up Pets Lets in 2019, I understand how UK properties work and how to talk to estate agents and landlords.
Even buying a property with pets is not straight forward. I have a client buying a Maida Vale property facing the canal with their 2 cats. They still had to get a pet license. A formality here, but some buildings have no pets clauses and that is not affected by the new Renters Rights Bill that will come into law by the end of 2025.
Pet friendly property search tips
- When you communicate with estate agents and landlords. If you have more than 1 pet or a bigger dog, don’t just ask if the property is pet friendly. Ask if it will accept YOUR pets. Specify your pets to be sure.
- Create a Pet CV’s Some people find this amusing 😊 With the right information, it can show you are a responsible pet owner. However, some clients have secured their home because the landlord loved the pictures. The Hedgehog won over one landlord. With another landlord, turned out they loved Labradors and went with my client. Another client had 5 cats, so I got them to picture the cats lined up eating from their bowls to show how organised they were. It worked. You just never know.
- Once a property is agreed, have your pets listed by name and breed as part of a pets clause Don’t sign it without one. Otherwise, you have no legal standing if the landlord changes their mind about pets.
Pet owners understand fellow pet owners
I love it when you come across an estate agent who has a dog or cat. They get it and want to help. It is more than a property transaction. I had that in Manchester for a client.
Worst thing you can do is complain about how hard it is to find pet friendly properties! That will fall on ‘deaf ears’. Show you are serious and active. Know your salaries/ monthly income.
Importantly, know your affordability. Use this Rental Affordability Calculator to know your maximum monthly rental. If you go above this, you may have problems with the credit reference agency once the property has been agreed. Many a property falls through because of this. I had a client that was £8 per month short. That became an issue and it had to be paid up front to cover the 2 year tenancy.
Russell Hunt is a leading UK pets & property expert. Founder of Pets Lets and the Relocating to the UK with Pets Facebook Group who offers pet owners advice with no obligation calls
