Landlords banned from no-fault evictions and must consider tenant requests to keep pets

Charlie Herbert

Landlords forced to consider tenants with pets

It’s one of several measures brought in by a new bill

Landlords will no longer be allowed to place blanket bans on pets in their lets, under proposals published in a government white paper.

On Thursday, the government published the Renters Reform Bill white paper, which will also abolish so-called “no fault” evictions.

Pets are always a contentious issue for landlords as they cause higher maintenance costs for them.

Currently, just five percent of landlords allow pets in their properties, the lowest figure in five years, the Telegraph reports.

Many landlords have banned pets because they know that they will easily be able to find other tenants due to the huge demand from renters in the current climate.

But throughout the pandemic, there has been a surge in cat and dog ownership, prompting a rise in demand from tenants with pets.

According to a recent survey of renters by the Deposit Protection Service, 30 percent had moved homes to accommodate the four-legged companion in their life.

It is however understood that landlords will be granted powers to request tenants with pets have insurance to cover any potential damage.

Chris Norris, of the National Residential Landlords Association, said: “Our biggest concern has always been that the law, as it currently stands, prevents landlords requiring insurance to cover the significant risk of pets creating damage to a property.

“We welcome reports that the Government has listened and responded positively to our concerns.”

But he added it was vital the law took a “common-sense approach” because some properties may not be suitable for pets, such as flats without gardens.

“Likewise, in shared homes the rights of those to have a pet need to be balanced with the rights of fellow tenants who might have concerns, especially those with certain allergies,” he said.

The proposals in the bill was welcomed by MP Andrew Rosindell, who is a sponsor of the Dogs and Domestic Animals Accommodation Protection Bill.

He said: “For most people, being separated from their dog is no different from being separated from their brother or sister”

“Sadly, pet owners who move into rented accommodation face the reality that their family could be torn apart, because most landlords in Britain have unnecessary bans or restrictions on pets ownership.”

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