Are pet laws about to change for London’s renters?

Britain is a nation of animal lovers, but out of the 4.4 million households in the private rented sector, currently, only 7 per cent of landlords list their properties as ‘pet friendly’. This is despite growing demand by renters to be allowed to keep pets.

A study by Rightmove published in August last year reported that demand for renting a house with pets had jumped by 120 per cent in just twelve months.

Can landlords still say no to pets in 2022?

Yes, they can: even though the government’s Model Tenancy Agreement was updated last year to allow tenants to keep pets by default. Under this agreement, landlords must respond within 28 days to a tenant’s written request to own a pet. Pets can only be refused if the landlord gives an adequate reason for their decision.

Unfortunately, the update has no legal impact on landlord pet policy, as the use of the government’s template is entirely voluntary. Currently, landlords who do not want an animal living on their property can simply insert a ‘no pets’ clause in their tenancy agreements.

In an attempt to close this loophole, a white paper was published on the 16th of June this year. It announced the government’s intention to ban such clauses in rental agreements, therefore making it a legal right for tenants to keep pets.

When will the law change?

The ‘no pet clause’ ban is included in a broad swathe of new lettings legislation, proposed under the new Renters Reform Bill. The measures described here will not become law until the Bill is voted in by parliament (by May 2023 at the latest). The Bill stipulates that landlords should not ‘reasonably refuse’ a tenant’s request to keep a pet.

It also includes a number of other measures affecting renters and landlords:

• Pet owners must hold a responsible animal guardianship certificate, signed off by a registered vet. This is to show that they are able to take good care of a dog, cat, or any other domestic animal.
• Landlords wishing to ban pets will be able to apply for an exemption certificate if they need to keep away from animals for religious or medical reasons (or if the accommodation is unsuitable).
• Tenants will be given the power to challenge the landlord’s decision if they do not think it is fair.

One of the biggest challenges for landlords is the potential damage that could be caused by an unruly pet. Before the Tenant Fee Ban was introduced, many landlords simply increased the size of their tenants’ deposits to avoid any financial loss. Under the new measures, landlords can insist that tenants obtain insurance to mitigate the costs of any damage caused.

Where can I find pet-friendly rental accommodation?

Daniel Cobb is a family run business, so we understand the joys and challenges of owning a pet in central London. We love finding pet-friendly rental properties for our clients, so why not give our lettings team a call?

Tell us about your pet and let us know exactly what you need from your next home.