To pet or not to pet, that is no longer the question

You may or may not be aware that in January 2021 the government’s model tenancy agreement stated that landlords cannot simply ban pets, showing clear intention in my opinion to end the practice of landlords banning pets in the private rented sector. For many renters this is really good news as owning a pet is one of life’s pleasures. Pets are family members and can be so important to people.

There are some challenges ahead

However, for all their plus points pets can cause damage from chewing or scratching doors to leaving a flea infestation. So how should a landlord ensure that the property the people and the pets all co-exist happily?

Firstly, it’s worth thinking about the types of pets that would be easy to accommodate.

Obviously, it might be quite difficult to keep a St Bernard in a one-bedroom flat. Regardless of what a landlord might have to say it is unlikely that the RSPCA would approve. Therefore, some good sense needs to prevail and here are our top tips to create harmony.

Consider your tenancy agreement clauses – or should that be ‘clawses’?

As we are clearly moving away from the blanket ban of ‘no pets’ we all need to start considering clauses in our tenancy agreements that set out just what kind of pets are acceptable in any given property. In addition, it would be fair to write in an explict clause to say that any tenant will need to make good or pay for the repair of any damage caused by a pet.

The Government’s model tenancy agreement automatically gives pet consent

Therefore, do be aware of this should you choose to use it. However, it is possible for a landlord to say no to certain pets. But be warned there has to be a specific reason for this. A landlord will also have only up to 28 days to reply to a written pet request.

It will mean that renters will not be penalised because they have a pet.

It can be a real struggle to find an appropriate property that allows pets. The Housing minister Christopher Pincher said:

"It can’t be right that only a tiny fraction of landlords advertise pet-friendly properties and in some cases people have had to give up their beloved pets in order to find somewhere to live.’

Yet, there has to be compromise now this blanket ban is starting to lift.

For example, smaller properties, lack of exercise space, potential anti-social noise are all things tenants and landlords will need to consider. It may well be a solution when reference checks are asked for the pet as well as the tenant. Let’s face it, if there is a positive reference that animals are well behaved and have not damaged a precious property might allay landlord fears.

In addition, it is worth carrying out property inspections on a discrete but fairly regular basis.

 It’s an opportunity to develop a more personal relationship and also keep an eye on an asset. You can see for yourself if woodwork has been damaged by claws or teeth. Also, the smell can indicate whether the animal is properly house trained. Keeping pests at bay is something else tenants will need to manage as it is very difficult to rid a property of fleas as it is a long process and requires various chemicals and steam cleaning that can be extremely costly. It may even be worth leaving tenants with furniture spray at the start of the tenancy as a precaution.

Certainly, tenants should understand that their deposit may be vulnerable

If a landlord needs to undertake considerable repairs and cleaning it will cost. Also, it is important to look after the neighbours and investigate any complaints about noise or anti-social behaviour centred around the animals in question. By acting quickly, it is likely the situation will not escalate.

One final piece of advice is to ensure you have a description of the pet.

Ensure you know the breed and its physical attributes, a picture would be helpful, if that’s possible and acceptable. This will give you the information to prevent tenants from bending the rules and adding other pets without your knowledge. The idea is to make pet-friendly rentals work as well as those without. Many people find their pets are an essential part of their lives and they should have the opportunity to live with them I the property of their choice. However, clear communication and good education will help the relationship work for everyone involved.

Disclaimer: The opinions and views expressed in the above belong to the author only and are expressed to assist. The author disclaims any liability for reliance upon those opinions and would encourage readers to explore more than one available source before making a decision.