Rental properties and pets

Eden_Revisited

Despite the change in the law on 1st May that renters have the right to request permission for a pet, every one of the properties I've found through email alerts on Rightmove have categorically stated no pets, both in the summary and the description of the property. These are all new postings, so it isn't as if they are old descriptions from a reduced rent advert. If letting agents are dismissing this out of hand before you even view the property, then clearly they are going to have excuses lined up that fit the exemptions. So I question what the point of this new permission is? Or what checks are being done to prevent this blanket denial at the advertising stage?

TroubledTarts

It will take some time for things to be done in the new way.

No reason to expect Estate Agents to be up to date and professional, they tend to fall into two camps in our experience, totally inept and satisfactory.

Grumpy_chap

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6667068/rental-properties-and-pets

Are the properties permitted to still state "no pets"?

We have a rental property and the head lease states "no pets" so we can only offer it on the same basis.

SarahB16

Many of the corporate lets will allow pets.

subjecttocontract

Its worth noting that many leasehold properties (mainly flats) specify in the lease that pets require the freeholders permission. So, at the point of offering to let the property, that permission has not been sought or granted. Therefore advertising a property which does not permit pet's seems entirely reasonable. It's for the prospective tenant to enquire whether their specific requirements can be met. Oh, and there is usually a fee charged by the freeholders to grant permission for pets. Don't know if the tenant can be charged for that but if not I expect the rent would be higher.

Silvertabby

Surely there must still be some rules in place - 4 German Shepherds in a one bed 4th floor flat wouldn't be good for the flat, the neighbours, or the dogs themselves!

subjecttocontract

One would hope so.

4 German Shepherds in a flat would be somewhat rare and if freeholders permission was required it's highly likely to be refused.

TroubledTarts

A Landlord cannot refuse a reasonable request so the idea of 4 large dogs in a one bed flat I would presume comes under unreasonable request.

That said it leaves everything undefined and vague. Which is not great

subjecttocontract

I spent over 20 years letting property.....I never came across or heard of anyone, anywhere, in a flat with more than one dog. One dog can be one to many of course, especially if it's noisy.

RelievedSheff

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81989043#Comment_81989043

Or sheds a lot of hair!

Silvertabby

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81989043#Comment_81989043

A family member, now retired, was a heath visitor specifically for children who needed closer watching than most. The tales she can tell about young children and multiple dogs... .