Political paws! No.10’s moggy backs growing pets in lets campaign

No.10 Downing Street’s resident tabby Larry has used his social media to call for people to lend their support to a campaign to allow ‘lets with pets’ within the Renter’s Rights Bill.

The tweet, which was issued by the now Labour staffer in charge of the account, says: “Those of you lucky enough to live with a cat will know how unfair it is that some people are denied that pleasure because they rent a home that doesn’t allow animals.

“Please consider lending your support to the #HeadsForTails campaign to make renting with pets easier for all.”

With only 7% of landlords advertising their properties as pet friendly, too many tenants struggle to find a home they can share with a pet.”

AdvoCATS, the voluntary organisation behind the #HeadsForTails campaign says: “With only 7% of landlords advertising their properties as pet friendly, too many tenants struggle to find a home they can share with a pet.

“This, coupled with the fact that more people than ever before are renting property, has generated a real crisis in animal shelters, not to mention the emotional trauma it creates for both pet owner and the pet, something Larry, having been adopted from Battersea Dogs and Cats Home, would be aware of.”

In its current form the Bill includes a tenant’s right to request to keep a pet, which a landlord cannot unreasonably refuse. Landlords can insist though on tenants paying for pet insurance.

Controversial

It is a controversial area. As was recently reported in The Neg, Only 50% of agents and landlords have successfully recouped pet damage costs. and in another article in The Neg landlords’ reluctance to take pets meant 73% of rental adverts specifically baned them.

East Midlands-based AdvoCATS is a voluntary non-profit organisation, set up in 2018 to offer a free support and advice service to both landlords and tenants and assist pet owners who have difficulty finding rental accommodation.

Picture courtesy of X/No.10