Labour is introducing new plans to improve conditions for tenants in the private rental sector. They are calling for landlords to allow tenants to have pets as a default option – as long as they don’t cause a nuisance. Labour says this will improve the lives of tenants, many of whom are in the private rental sector because they can’t afford to buy a home. This policy is part of a 50-point animal welfare draft policy, which also includes a ban on fox hunting, a ban on foie gras, and a ban on exporting animals for slaughter.
The Cost of Pets in Rental Homes
The Residential Landlords Association has already raised concerns about the policy of allowing pets by default. They say landlords may have to charge higher deposits to cover the cost of potential damage to rental homes. There are also questions related to keeping pets in HMOs, especially when another tenant is allergic to animals, and tenants living in high-rise buildings, which might not be suitable for larger
NLA Expresses Concerns
The National Landlords Association has also expressed concerns about the policy.
“You can’t take a blanket approach to keeping or refusing pets. The NLA has consistently supported schemes that encourage landlords to take on pet owners,” says Richard Lambert.
The issue of allowing pets is a tricky one. Whilst some landlords are happy to let a well-behaved cat or dog into their properties, many of them adopt a “no pets” policy as standard.
Which side of the fence are you on? Let us know!
