New rules for tenants with pets

Phil4432

Just having a look at this today
https://www.mylondon.news/whats-on/family-kids-news/renters-allowed-keep-pets-flats-17513083?fbclid=IwAR2YF3Eit8xTBg-wqtlS1cGdMlNxbaUKHEfa25XOeg6A0P91emLitmfe4uI

Is it correct to say that landlords will be forced to allow pets, or does it remain at the landlords discretion?
The article is unclear.

Browntoa

I'd read it as " at landlords discretion"

Phil4432

So the government is trying to encourage landlords to rent to pet owners, without making it law?

steampowered

It's not a change in the law.

It's just a change to the model tenancy agreement published by the government. You don't have to use that tenancy agreement, you can use a different one if you wish.

davidmcn

Phil4432 wrote: »

Is it correct to say that landlords will be forced to allow pets, or does it remain at the landlords discretion?
The article is unclear.

It's not that unclear really (my emphasis):

the government are changing the model tenancy agreement, which can be used as the basis of lease agreements made with tenants, to encourage landlords to allow pets in their homes.

Crashy_Time

Problem with pets is that if someone has a cat or dog in the flat for a year or two the next potential tenant might not be overjoyed at the pet smell and may look elsewhere, unless they like the idea that cat smell keeps mice at bay? Most landlords unless they are renting a farmhouse or other large house and costing for the clean up/fresh makeover at the end are unlikely to want pets?

G_M

So no change in the law.


Since many leasehold flats prohibit pets (or require the freeholder's consent) any change to tenancy law would need a similar change to leasehold law.

ReadingTim

Housing Secretary Robert Jenrick said: ... "So, I’m overhauling our model tenancy contract to encourage more landlords to consider opening their doors to responsible pet owners."

So, landlord considers pets, then decides to keep banning them. Job done.

justjohn

Crashy_Time wrote: »

Problem with pets is that if someone has a cat or dog in the flat for a year or two the next potential tenant might not be overjoyed at the pet smell and may look elsewhere, unless they like the idea that cat smell keeps mice at bay? Most landlords unless they are renting a farmhouse or other large house and costing for the clean up/fresh makeover at the end are unlikely to want pets?

Yes , and that's the best case scenario. Some tenants have trouble cleaning up after themselves never mind there pets lol

pinkteapot

Just throwing this out there so any new landlords reading this might consider pets on a case-by-case basis...

We just rented for a year after relocating (moved out a few weeks ago). We have one cat. Our cat severely limited our choice of rentals and we paid a higher deposit - we knew both of these would happen.

One cat does not smell. We were inspected every 8 weeks and every single inspection report said we were keeping the home immaculate (their word). At no point did the agent mention any smell. On moving out, we had our deposit returned in full. We're a professional couple with no kids and I'd argue it's easier to keep a house clean and tidy with a cat than with young children!

I'm guessing landlords have more than enough prospective tenants so it's easier to just blanket ban pets. Our landlord isn't an automatic yes to pets but was willing to consider on a case-by-case basis. I get that one cat is different to six large dogs!

This tweet sums up how we felt trying to find a rental: https://twitter.com/cox_tom/status/1020932576557584384

need_an_answer

pinkteapot wrote: »

Just throwing this out there so any new landlords reading this might consider pets on a case-by-case basis...

We just rented for a year after relocating (moved out a few weeks ago). We have one cat. Our cat severely limited our choice of rentals and we paid a higher deposit - we knew both of these would happen.

One cat does not smell. We were inspected every 8 weeks and every single inspection report said we were keeping the home immaculate (their word). At no point did the agent mention any smell. On moving out, we had our deposit returned in full. We're a professional couple with no kids and I'd argue it's easier to keep a house clean and tidy with a cat than with young children!

I'm guessing landlords have more than enough prospective tenants so it's easier to just blanket ban pets. Our landlord isn't an automatic yes to pets but was willing to consider on a case-by-case basis. I get that one cat is different to six large dogs!

This tweet sums up how we felt trying to find a rental: https://twitter.com/cox_tom/status/1020932576557584384

Things have changed a little now since you possibly took out your tenancy.Since june last year LL's haven't had the ability to charge a higher deposit, so whilst I understand your comments about not all animals are the same unfortunately as a LL I cant get to know you or your pet before we enter into an agreement.

I do have a no pet policy on my properties but most of that is actually enforced upon me simply because the majority of my rentals are leasehold with strict no pet clauses in the lease. Some are blanket "no" and some are agreed upon a payment of a hefty charge to the managing agent,something that I feel against the payment of either by me or a prospective tenant

I'm also a cat owner who has never suffered with smells but I do know that I couldnt rent with our cat simply because she is a clawer. so despite being clean,flea free and an established happy pet within our family I couldn't guarantee that she wouldn't cause some light damage to floor coverings.

So yes I understand why animal owners want the option for pets but I can also see it from the LL's side that actually it can become problematic allowing pets and yes sometimes it is easier to opt for the tenant without when faced with a like for like choice.