What are the rules surrounding pets in rental properties in London?

Almost without exception, landlords refuse to allow their tenants to keep pets. It’s an understandable wariness - pets can damage property and furnishings. Yet unless the property is a leasehold which prohibits animals, there is no legal ‘rule’ that sets the 'no pet’ policy in stone. In fact, now is a good time for landlords to reconsider their ‘no pet’ rule.

A huge percentage of the British population are pet lovers, and an increasing proportion of that population are living in rented accommodation for longer periods. Surveys have found that most pet-owners are law-abiding citizens who look after their pets well but who have great difficulty finding suitable accommodation. A significant number fail to find anywhere to live and some are forced to give their pets away.

In such a market, pet owners become model tenants. Grateful for being allowed to keep their pets and wishing to maintain good relations with their pet-friendly landlord, they pay their rent regularly and look after the property well - they are exactly the sort of tenants that a landlord would want.

Here’s how landlords can tap into this huge and lucrative pool of tenants while minimising the risk that their properties will suffer pet-damage.

Assess the pet’s suitability for the space on offer

Pet owners are responsible for ensuring that their animal causes neither injury nor damage. A series of Acts of Parliament require pet owners to provide for their pet’s basic needs - food, water, exercise, veterinary care and a suitable place to live.

Given this, discuss with the potential tenant whether the pet is a good match for the space. A small flat may be a suitable home for a fish or a hamster, but it would be unreasonable to keep a large dog in such a place.

References

Ask previous landlords for references about the pet and how the tenant has cared for it.

Pet tenancy agreement

Set up a legally constituted pet tenancy agreement to cover the care and maintenance of each pet. This is in addition to the standard tenancy agreement. It should include the name of a person who has agreed to look after the pet in case of emergency, and the name of the vet who will treat the animal. It should also specify how the pet will be cared for when the tenant goes away or on holiday. Templates for such agreements can be found online.

Increasing the size of the deposit is no longer an option due to the tenant fee ban

Make financial allowance for the fact that most insurance policies will not cover damage by pets by negotiating a slightly higher monthly rent to cover deep and extensive professional cleaning when the tenant leaves so that in future the property can be safely rented even to allergy-sensitive individuals.

Inspect regularly and rigorously

Take even more care than usual to inspect the property at least quarterly, looking specifically for pet damage or any breaches of the agreement. Following these ‘rules’ should offer a smooth passage into renting property to pet owners and open up a new pool of prospective tenants.

Get in touch with our team at Jo & Co Property Management for further advice on letting your property.