It's about to get much easier to live in a rented home with your pet
With more Brits renting properties than ever before, the government is calling on landlords to make it easier for tenants to have pets living in their rented accommodation with them — but only if they are well-behaved.
Currently, only 7% of landlords advertise homes as being suitable for pets, meaning that many owners struggle to find a home where they can live with their animal. In some cases, owners have been forced to give up their pets before moving in.
For decades, the animal welfare charity Dog's Trust has been campaigning for landlords, letting agencies and the property industry to be more lenient when it comes to accepting pets. "Sadly, the single biggest reason we see dogs handed in to our rehoming centres is due to a change in the owner's circumstances, such as being unable to live in a rented property with a pet. This can also stop people coming forward to adopt rescue animals," the charity explains.
But, in good news for renters, the government's model tenancy contracts will now be revised to ensure more landlords cater for pet owners.
Housing Secretary, Rt Hon Robert Jenrick MP, said: "Pets bring a huge amount of joy and comfort to people's lives, helping their owner's through difficult times and improving their mental and physical wellbeing. So, it's a shame that thousands of animal-loving tenants and their children can't experience this because they rent their homes instead of owning property.
"This is part of this new government's mission to improve life for tenants, recognising that more are renting and for longer in life."
This welcome news means that, hopefully, renters across the UK can bring their beloved animals along with them. "We welcome the opportunity to work alongside other animal welfare organisations and the Government to ensure this forthcoming change positively impacts the property sector, and that more pet friendly rental homes become available," the Dog's Trust says.
Elsewhere, the government also explained that total bans on renters with pets should only be implemented where there is a solid reason, such as if the property is too small.
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