Landlords are worried about upcoming pet legislation in the Renters Reform Bill, with some planning to hike rents to compensate.
The bill stipulates that tenants should be allowed to keep pets unless the landlord “reasonably refuses”, though landlords can ask for pet insurance to cover property damage.
Landlords would be required to give or refuse consent in writing within 42 days of receiving a written request, which must describe the pet.
More than half (54%) of landlords believe that upcoming legislation will increase the potential for damage to rental properties, research from Simply Business has found.
As a result, two thirds (63%) could look to increase rents once the bill comes into force.
Hayley, landlord in Essex, said “With regards to pets, I have always been open to having pets within reason. It depends on the tenant and what type of pet owner they are, number of pets and size, and the type of property being let. I do not believe it should be made compulsory as there are much greater factors to be taken into consideration which should ultimately be the landlord’s choice.
“I have had 3 tenancies where pets have been allowed. 2 were fantastic. 1 however, ended up going from 1 small dog to 3 (including a German shepherd) and totally destroyed the property. At the time, I took it as part of being a landlord and moved on, but in today’s climate it would be very hard to swallow.
“In my opinion, the government should be encouraging decent landlords into the market where there is an urgent need for circumstantial and long term tenancies.”
MPs generally spoke positively about the move in parliament however.
Marsha De Cordova, Labour MP for Battersea, said: “For many people, their pets bring them physical, mental and social health benefits as they are an integral part of many family units.
“It is vital that we ensure that clauses 7 and 8 are protected in the Bill, so that tenants have a legal right to request a pet in the property and the landlord must consider that request and not refuse it unnecessarily.”
Meanwhile Cats Protection, the UK’s largest feline Welfare Charity, said it was “delighted” by the bill going through its second reading, which brings “pet-friendly renting a step closer for millions of Britons.”