A survey of landlords and letting agents has revealed that over half of respondents said they had been unable to recoup the costs of damage inflicted by tenants’ pets.

The ‘What’s the Damage’ report, which has been endorsed by leading industry bodies, also reveals that 85 per cent of respondents said they’ve experienced pet related damage.#

The survey is a joint project between lettings industry trade bodies Propertymark and the National Residential Landlords Association (NLRA) along with East Midlands-based pets charity AdvoCATS.

Its results come at a key time for the ‘pets in lets’ debate after the government’s White Paper published last month revealed plans to give tenant’s a right to live with their pets subject to ‘fair and reasonable’ tests.

The organisations involved say that the information presented clearly shows that the UK Government has limited the protection of landlords and therefore access to housing for those with pets.

Tenant Fees Act

Ministers have also confirmed that they will amend the Tenant Fees Act ‘so that landlords can request that their tenants buy pet insurance’.

The campaign continues to ensure these commitments are met in resulting legislation and that pet damage insurance is designed to meet the needs of landlords, agents, tenants, and pets.

Timothy Douglas (pictured), Head of Policy and Campaigns at Propertymark, said: “The data from this research backs up what Propertymark and others have been warning for some time, that the unintended consequences of the Tenant Fees Act have reduced the appetite for many landlords to take on the greater risk of damage.

“With the demand for pet friendly homes continuing to increase, the UK Government must now see and understand the costs involved for landlords and implement rules that support the sector to take on greater risk in order to support more people to rent with pets.”