Landlords still refusing pets ‘en-masse’ despite looming reforms
Less than one in ten rental properties currently listed on the market are pet-friendly according to Zero Deposit.
Landlords are not changing their ‘anti-pets’ habits despite the Renters’ Rights Bill making dog and cat refusal much more difficult, says Zero Deposit CEO Sam Reynolds (pictured).
This is because landlords and letting agents will no longer be able to ‘unreasonably’ refuse tenants’ pets in a rental home – but despite this property listings show landlords are not yet adjusting to the changes
In the UK, it is estimated that 51% of adults own a pet, but the rental sector has a long history of not being pet-friendly with only a tiny proportion of rental properties (8%) allowing pets.
As a result, Zero Deposit says, a huge number of tenants are unable to find a home that will accept them and their pets.
North East is best
On a regional level, tenants with pets in the North East have the best chance of securing a home with 9% of listings currently marketed as pet-friendly.
But pet-friendly properties are rarest in the West Midlands (5%), followed by the East Midlands and Yorkshire & Humber at 6%, the East of England at 7% and London, the South West, South East, and North West at 8%.
Reynolds commented: “There’s a natural reticence among landlords to open their property to pets for fear of the damage they can potentially cause.
“Many will have experienced pet damage to their properties which has shaped this preference. But these landlords are swimming against an increasingly fervent tide.”
However, he adds that property damage by pets costs money to repair and that: “This spend can be challenging to recoup and can eat into profit margins.
“It is possible that the bill will give landlords the right to insist that specific insurance is taken out.”
“And, while the Renters’ Rights Bill disallows the blanket banning of pets, it also limits the amount of money landlords are allowed to take from their tenants for security deposits, further exposing landlords to the risk of property damage and, therefore, to loss of income.
“It is possible that the bill will give landlords the right to insist that specific insurance is taken out to protect against pet-related damage, thus providing greater security.”
Who would like to drive a Ferrari, crash it, get another one, & still pay the same insurance cost as a Fiat 500? I’m sure The Labour Party can sort that for you.
Ooh who can remember the days when us Landlords took tenants with pets no problem. They paid a bit extra deposit & when they left in 5 years time, if no damage, got the extra deposit back. How simple was that? It worked.
What went wrong since then? Ooh that would be the Govt & MP’s then, banning pet deposits. So what did we do? We stopped taking pets. Yes Labour, we not taking ’em, come prosecute us-Surely that will help the tenants plight won’t it?
How simple it was & now how difficult has it been made by The Labour Party
Shelter supported banning higher deposits, Landlords are now charging more rent to ALL pet owners, so ALL pet owners lose. All pet owners pay.
They trying to stop this. So what’s gonna happen and is happening? Landlords are just refusing ALL pets. So ALL pet owners suffer. When in reality, it’s only 10% that cause the damage.
Wake up people, come & ask the Housing Providers Will you please take tenants with pets & what will it take?
Link to more Pet refusal stuff that can be solved: https://lnkd.in/eWmDhni6