Will Pets Be Allowed In Properties With The Renters Rights Bill?

The new renters rights bill will come into force at some point during 2025, this was passed with the new labour government getting into office in 2024 and parliament still must pass the bill and decide if it is coming into effect Spring or Summer.

There will be many agents and landlords a like scattering around trying to tie up loose ends before the Poo hits the Fan! (That was a polite phrase).

Realistically Landlords and Agents both are upset with the iron fist that the government has clamped down on the middle class in the UK, making many entrepreneurs and investors leave the UK, but also cash in on their assets. With inflation growing into 2025 as fast as a teenage boy into manhood, the investor market is unsure what to do.

Do they cash in on their asset and spend their money, paying a huge wad of tax in the process or do they hold out, dig in their heels and bear the legislation avalanche which is ahead to hope they come away unscathed and winning still.

Truthfully, it is a tough one. But I still believe that being a buy to let landlord is a profitable business, if run correctly.

Why Have They Allowed Pets Into Property Regardless of the landlord’s consent?

As a landlord, do you agree with this? Whether or not you like it, it will happen, and you still cannot put a top up on a deposit which is also capped at 5 weeks rent. What if that Alsatian puppy urinates on your newly laid carpet, while at the same time chewing your skirting boards. As a landlord, that is not a pretty picture, in fact, it is a nightmare of which could happen.

Is this because the majority voted Kier Starmer and his friends into power? The answer is no, the conservatives were going to do this anyway, the same guy’s you landlords were supporting would have cheated on you anyway.

What Does The Bill Exactly Say?

Taken from the government website, this is exactly what it says:

Renting With Pets

Pets can bring a huge amount of joy to their owners. We are committed to supporting responsible pet ownership in the private rented sector. The Renters’ Rights Bill will ensure landlords do not unreasonably withhold consent when a tenant requests to have a pet in their home, with the tenant able to challenge unfair decisions.

We know that some landlords are concerned about potential damage caused by pets. That is why the Renters’ Rights Bill will allow landlords to require insurance covering pet damage. This will provide landlords with reassurance that any damage caused by a pet can be taken care of, and that the responsibility for preventing and resolving damage caused by a pet will fall to the tenant.

We will publish guidance for landlords and tenants before the new rules come into effect.

What is a Reasonable Reason For a Landlord To Refuse a Tenant Having a Pet?

• Landlords will be required to fully consider all requests on a case-by-case basis. Due to the diversity of landlords, tenants, and properties in the private rented sector, it would not be possible to legislate for every situation where a landlord would or would not be able to ‘reasonably’ refuse a pet.

• It will always be reasonable for a landlord to refuse a request when their superior landlord prohibits pets. We will provide guidance to landlords and tenants to support decisions.

Government Guide to the Renters’ Rights Bill – GOV.UK Support Measures

This is still a grey area for me, the word ‘diversity’ and ‘case-by-case basis’ could imply that if you are a landlord from a certain religious background, then you could refuse pets. Another rebuttal to the rule of this bill regarding pets could be if you rent a property in a block of flats and the management company doesn’t allow it.

I don’t think it will be that to go against the wishes of the tenant.

How I would personally combat it would be to put the rent up by £100 per month to use as and insurance against anything being damaged and a carpet replacement, unfortunately some dogs (for example) malt quite heavily and the smell, along with the hairs get stuck into the carpet, you cannot get that smell out and you will have to replace the carpet before you re rent the property.

Another way to combat it is via the Tenant Pet Insurance, a grey area here would be who would pay the insurance since you cannot charge a tenant or be seen to be charging them fees. To have full control, I think it would be wise to get the landlord to take it out and to put the rent up, it makes it easier.

What happens if a landlord unreasonably refuses?

• Where a tenant feels that a landlord has unreasonably refused their request, they will be able to escalate their complaint to the Private Rented Sector Ombudsman or they could take the case to court. 
• A final decision will be based on the evidence provided by both parties.

• We are amending the Tenant Fees Act 2019 so that landlords can require insurance to cover any damage caused by pets living in the property. If the landlord takes out the insurance, those reasonable costs will be recoverable from the tenant.
• Tenants also pay a tenancy deposit which can be used for damages although landlords should not attempt to recover costs twice for the same damage.
• In the very rare cases where the insurance and deposit do not cover the cost of the damage, a landlord could take the tenant to court to recoup additional funds in line with wider rules in the sector.

This has also been taken from the rights bill above as an FAQ, again who knows how this is going to play out until it is legally enforced and happening, but if I were a landlord I wouldn’t be worrying too much about the pet bill.

If you need any guidance or further information about the Rights Bill, get in touch with one of the team on 01708909100 or email me on [email protected]