Roughly 46% of tenants currently rent with pets. Therefore, as a landlord, knowing what you can and can’t do in this situation is important.
Here are some points to help you navigate letting with pets.
What process must I follow when letting with pets?
Currently, the tenant must ask for written consent from the landlord to keep a pet in the rental property.
If a landlord offers an unreasonable refusal, this may be open to challenge on the basis that it is unfair. Keep in mind that this process is also part of what is being debated in the Renters (Reform) Bill.
Exceptions to the rule – service animals
When a tenant requires a service animal, e.g. a guide or assistance dog, reasonable adjustments may have to be made as a landlord may not directly or indirectly discriminate against people with a disability.* Each situation will vary and depend on the individual’s circumstances and what constitutes a pet-friendly property.
How can I mitigate the risks?
Although denying a tenant to live with their pet without good cause is open to challenge, here are a couple of suggestions to help you decrease the risk of damage to your property when letting with pets.
Request a reference from the previous landlord or agency on their experience with the tenant and their pet, and ask the pet-owner questions to gain a better understanding of what to expect. Questions could include, what type of pet it is, whether the pet is house-trained, if it’s an indoor or outdoor pet and if it’s been treated for fleas.
Finally, a pet clause can be included in the rental agreement. In this way, you establish the expectations a tenant and their pet must fulfil throughout their tenancy – protecting both you, the landlord, and your potential tenants.
Can I increase the tenancy deposit?
No. The Tenant Fees Act 2019 stipulates that there are no exceptions when it comes to letting your property to tenants with pets. You or your agent can request a maximum of five weeks’ rent for a tenancy deposit, when the total annual rent is less than £50,000 or six weeks’ rent when the annual rent is £50,000 or more. **
How could the Renters (Reform) Bill impact tenants with pets?
The Renters (Reform) Bill was introduced to the parliamentary review process on the 17th of May 2023, delivering on the Government’s 2019 manifesto. Among the various proposals, the bill includes a section on renting with pets, including a ban on blanket bans on pets in advertisements. Landlords would not be able to unreasonably withhold consent but could ask the tenant to take out or pay for insurance against damage, as a condition of granting consent.^
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