pets
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Features
PRS regulation update
The Select Committee scrutinising the so-called ‘Renters’ Reform Bill’ White Paper has reported. David Callaghan summarises the key comments from MPs and industry stakeholders.
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Latest property news
Minister launches new pet-friendly Model Tenancy Agreement
Document recommended by government for PRS gives renters significantly enlarged rights to rent with a pet.
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Features
‘No Pets’ no more?
Love them or hate them, landlords may have to start accepting tenants’ pets by law. But this new proposal really hasn’t been thought through, says Frances Burkinshaw.
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Latest property news
EXCLUSIVE: Trading Standards to halt agents charging pet rent if legal advice goes its way
The National Trading Standards Estate Agency Team (NTSEAT) has sought legal advice on whether agents can charge higher rents or additional ‘rent premiums’ for tenants who have pets, and a decision is likely next week, The Negotiator has been told. As we have reported before, many agents have been charging up to £50 a month or £600 a year as a ‘rent premium’ to tenants who have dogs or cats. This has been prompted by the tenant fees ban legislation in England and Wales, which capped rental deposits at five week’s rent for most tenancies, and six weeks’ rent for those over £50,000 a year. “This has caused some issues especially with problem properties and tenants where agents have always quite rightly said that they wanted larger deposits because it’s very difficult getting money back from people after they have moved on,” says James Munro, Senior Manager at NTSEAT (left). “So they want to ensure they have a contingency if there are problems during the tenancy. “They are saying five weeks’ deposit isn’t enough now, and understandably they are trying different ways of trying to deal with this. “But we’re not entirely happy with this because we think it’s something…
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Latest property news
Build-to-let landlord begins charging tenants £600 a year to keep pets
Tipi in North London says most of its existing and future sites will offer tenants the option to live with their pets, but charge an extra £50 a month.
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Latest property news
97% of landlords in London don’t welcome pets
Even in the most pet friendly boroughs the vast majority of rental properties listed online don't allow cats or dogs.
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Latest property news
Labour’s pet policy is “bizarre choice” says National Landlords Association
Labour’s recent proposals to give tenants greater rights to live with their pets has been questioned by the National Landlords Association. In a podcast covering a wide range of subjects published today, its Head of Policy Chris Norris (pictured above, right) says he thought Labour’s decision to back the right to keep pets for tenants a “bizarre choice”. “I’ve got to say I despair with this sort of announcement from the Labour party,” he says. “The NLA is completely neutral when it comes to party politics but of all the things in housing that really demand attention, whether private tenants have the default right to a pet is a bizarre choice.” Chris went on to say that the policy is puzzling because current legislation and case law means consumers are protected, because landlords cannot refuse a tenant with a pet unless they can give a good reason. “You can’t put a ‘no pets’ clause into a tenancy agreement and if a tenant asks a landlord about pets and the landlord says no, they must put forward a valid argument why not,” says Chris. Deposits He also says the government’s proposals to cap deposits at four weeks will make it more…
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