A client of mine recently said to me, “my friends think I should just move in and not mention my dog, might be easier?”.
I would never advise a client to take this route, regardless of the introduction of the Renters Rights Bill 28 day rule and a landlord being unable to ‘unreasonably’ refuse a pet.
I’m telling you from experience, many landlords will find an ‘excuse’ and the process could be stressful. Plus sneaking in a pet, just gives ‘responsible’ pet owners a bad name, making it generally more difficult to convince landlords to say yes with new tenancies.
How stressful to be constantly ‘looking over your shoulder’, in case you are reported by a neighbour or the landlord gives 24 hours notice to do a visit and you have to hide all the ‘pet’ evidence.
If people sneak in pets, you’ll find even more landlords justifying a reason to say no to renting with dogs or cats.
Changes with the Renters Rights Bill
The Renters Rights Bill is indeed a ‘victory’ for pet owners.
I’m a massive advocate for renting with pets and talk to agents and landlords about it all the time. I believe the more you ‘force’ landlords to accept pets, the more they will find a reason to say no.
The more responsible pet owners they are who look after properties, more landlords will start to say yes to renting with pets.
However, with many political decisions ion the rental sector, I think the new laws are a real mixture of ‘help & hindrance’ to pet owners looking to rent. Why?
Without pet insurance, an extra security deposit, or the ability to pay more than one month up front, pet owners (especially those whose credit checks aren’t squeaky clean) are at a bigger disadvantage.
What many pet owners don’t realise is that some blocks can still refuse pets altogether. You can seanl in your dog or cat, and you will be notice ny the concierge or neighbours, the landlord’s say is irrelevant. If the block has a no pets clause, that overrides everything. Beware! Some agents don’t even double-check this.
In a competitive market, with little security on the landlord’s side, they’ll naturally choose tenants without pets. I’m already seeing it happen.
Sadly, The Renters Rights Bill is more of a sticking plaster than a real solution. The term is a landlord cannot ‘unreasonably refuse’ a pet
In Reality. Changes Renting With Pets
See, I don’t think the ‘negative’ mindset to pets just lies with landlords. I think many estate agents are to ‘blame’.
Many agents work on commission basis. Easier to agree a ‘deal’ without a pet. Whay make life ‘hard’ for yourself.
Also many agents don’t ask landlord about accepting pets. They just want to beat their competition to get the instruction.
I was a London estate agent many years. I know how it works. You’re under pressure to meet targets.
The new laws will indeed make agents and landlords consider tenants with pets more seriously. They will have to give a ‘valid’ reason to refuse pets in their properties and agents cannot be seen to be ‘promoting’ tenants without pets more for their own ‘financial gains’.
I think it will take time for the laws to ‘settle down’. Landlords are renowned for finding ‘loopholes’ to laws, or in this case an excuse to say no to a pet.
Landlord Perspective
Landlords should consider pets on a case by case basis.
If you have a small flat on an upper floor without a lift, a big dog may not work. BUT, it could work for a house cat or a small dog that could be carried up, otherwise know as a ‘handbag dog’.
I see to many ‘ideal pet properties’, such as garden flats where the landlords will not allow a pet. It will be interesting how they will be able to refuse a dog or cat going forward unless there are multiple offers.
Best Pet Case Forward
You really don’t have to hide your pet!
Paperwork preparation is key. A Pet CV https://petslets.com/create-pet-cv/ , previous landlord reference saying how ell behaved your pets have been, caused no damage or disturbances, as well as check your financial affordability
Some agents won’t even let you through the door unless your finances stack up. Otherwise you could agree a lovely place only to find it falls through with the reference checks.
To Summarise
The growing popularity of pet ownership means landlords will increasingly face requests from tenants wishing to keep pets. Landlords are indeed not obliged to allow pets in all cases. However, they must approach each request on a case by case basis. A miniature dog or house cat is very different from a labrador or multiple cats.
The most significant change the new pet rules will make will be cultural rather than legal, reality versus theoretical. Tenants will expect landlords to take requests for pets seriously. Some will challenge a refusal which will be awkward for agents too. Remember landlords are their clients and repeat business!
The Government’s plan is to introduce a Private Rented Sector Landlord Ombudsman. This will give tenants a new way to challenge landlord’s refusal to permit a pet. The trouble is how will this work in reality in a competitive market where rentals are agreed in days not weeks.
It is going to very important to consider requests for pets promptly and reasonably.
I’m all about pets & property. Pets owners can be ‘emotional’ and landlords are mostly about ‘pounds and pence’. The new rules will take time to ‘settle’ down.
I’m Russell Hunt, Founder of Pets Lets , a UK property consultancy specialising in pet-friendly rentals and set up the Relocating to the UK with Pets Facebook Group
With nearly 30 years’ experience in the London property market, I help clients from the UK and overseas find homes where both they and their pets are truly welcome.
