LANDLORDS should you be alarmed?
The new standard tenancy agreement issued by the government will make it easier for tenants with pets to find rented accommodation.
- Landlords no longer able to issue a blanket ban on pets
- Just 7% of private landlords currently advertise pet friendly properties
- Housing Minister Rt Hon Christopher Pincher MP said:
“We are a nation of animal lovers and over the last year more people than ever before have welcome pets into their lives and homes.
But it can't be right that only a tiny fraction of landlords advertise pet friendly properties and in some cases people have had to give up their beloved pets in order to find somewhere to live.
Through the changes to the tenancy agreement we are making today, we are bringing an end to the unfair blanket ban on pets introduced by some landlords. This strikes the right balance between helping more people find a home that's right for them and their pet while ensuring landlords' properties are safeguarded against inappropriate or badly behaved pets.”
Consent for pets will be the default position, and landlords will have to object in writing within 28 days of a written pet request from a tenant and provide a good reason.
As a landlord, where do I stand legally?
There have been NO changes to the legal position on pets.. There was a minor amendment to the government model tenancy agreement this week, but this is not legally binding on landlords as no new law has been brought forward by Parliament. The law currently prevents you from refusing a tenant request to house hens and rabbits (Allotment Act 1950) but there are no laws preventing you, from refusing a tenant requesting to have the most common pets: dogs and cats (with the exception of guide dogs).
For more information please feel free to contact us on 0333 358 3676 or email us at info@mypropertybox.co.uk
Statistics and information sourced from the government website