Are you a Lancaster or Morecambe landlord? Are you aware of the latest ruling about renting your property out and well-behaved pets? If not, please read on.
Last week, new rules by local government have been brought about to encourage landlords to accept well-behaved pets.
Landlords will no longer be able to issue a blanket ban on pets. This does not mean that a tenant can automatically go out and get a pet, instead a tenant has to seek consent for pets. Landlords have up to 28 days to make a decision and if they object they have to do so in writing with good reason (Eg The lease does not allow pets, the property really is too small making the home impractical).
The emphasis is on well-behaved pets. Tenants will ultimately be responsible for their pets and any damage they create.
This is what the Housing Minister Rt Hon Christopher Pincher MP had to say
We are a nation of animal lovers and over the last year, more people than ever before have welcome pets into their lives and homes.
But 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.
Through the changes to the tenancy agreement we are making today, we are bringing an end to the unfair blanket ban on pets introduced by some landlords. This strikes the right balance between helping more people find a home that’s right for them and their pet while ensuring landlords’ properties are safeguarded against inappropriate or badly behaved pets.
We are a nation of pet lovers, the latest figures show that over 40% of adults have a pet, yet currently only 7% of rental homes allow them. At the JDG team, we have Boots – our cute, furry office and meeter greeter. Rachel and Anthony have 3 boxer dogs between them and I’m also wanting to get a dog to add to my own family unit!
Many charities hope the change will result in fewer pets needing rehoming. According to the PFMA, 10% of pet owners who gave up their dogs had done so because landlords didn’t allow pets.
What is your view on renting with pets? Research sows that tenants are prepared to pay a premium on their rent to have a pet? What do you think?
If you would like to chat more about this, please call me on 01524 843322
Thanks for reading
Josh