A move towards pet-friendly homes

Pets bring joy and company to tenants, and the government has now made it difficult for landlords to reject pets by default when reasonable pet-owners apply to rent a property.

At Rent Happily, we have accepted more pets since the pandemic hit, recognising the need to provide more comfort and company to tenants, especially when working from home has become the norm.

Last January, the government has made it clear that landlords would not be able to ban pets altogether in their properties, unless there is a good reason for it, and provided tenants have sought prior consent with the landlord.

This is a move in the right direction for tenants, but it is not without risks for landlords. In order to reassure landlords that their property is safe and will be protected against potential damages, there are several measures that can be taken: increase the deposit, ask for references for the pet, sign an addendum to the contract, and/or ask the tenant to contract a pet accidental damage insurance.

We can confidently say that tenants have been happy when bringing pets into their lives and landlords have felt protected with the above clauses, and we expect this new provision form the government to bring more happiness in the letting market.