26^th Feb 2018

The Labour party has pledged a new draft policy that could make it mandatory for landlords to accept tenants who have pets, which is not being welcomed by the sector.

The party has promised that if it gets into government then one of its new policies would be to introduce legislation that allows tenants to have a pet by default, if it will not cause problems.

Large numbers of landlords currently do not accept tenants with pets because of the impending issues associated such as damage to the property. Tenants do have to ask their landlord's permission to 'house' a pet and it is up to the individual landlord whether they accept the request. They can refuse by stating the problems that could be caused by the pet, whether it is too big for the property, the damage that may be sustained, extra maintenance costs and the impact on future tenancies.

MP Sue Hayman, said: "Recognising that currently for the majority of people under 30, buying a home is sadly less and less of an affordable option, Labour would seek to improve the rights of renters to own pets that do not cause a nuisance."

Needless to say many landlords are not 'excited' by the prospect, a spokesperson for a trade body said:"You can’t take a blanket approach to keeping or refusing pets."

However the industry body support schemes and has many times encouraged landlords to support the Dog's Trust's 'Lets with Pets'. The spokesperson does believe that landlords can refuse tenants with pets if they give clear and justified reasons as to why not.

The spokesperson added: "For example, common properties such as high rise flats or those without gardens, may simply not be suitable for keeping some animals nor beneficial to their welfare.

"However, tenants who keep pets do tend to stay for longer periods of time, and there are a few simple steps that landlords can take in order to mitigate the perceived increased risks, such as by inserting specific clauses and policies into their tenancy agreements."

Another industry association is calling for Labour to provide more details as the 'pledge' will present landlords with many issues. A spokesman asked whether landlords would be allowed to charge higher deposits if pets are allowed to live in their properties to cover any eventuality of damage.

Another major factor could be whether landlords would incur higher insurance costs because pets, as well as how it could affect those living in houses of multiple occupancy.

The spokesperson added:"Labour will need to respond positively to all these points if landlords are to have confidence in this suggested policy."

The Battersea Dogs and Cats Home, one of the UK's largest homes for homeless pets is fully supportive of the proposal. Many discarded pets have come from tenants whose landlords had refused them in the property.

Richard Merrick of PIMS comments:" Britain is a nation of pet lovers, however surely the party in question is not seriously considering in making it mandatory for landlords to let their properties to pet owners?"

He added: "I am not aware of any industry that has legislation to make it illegal to refuse entry to customers to bring pets into their premises. If this madness did ever go ahead then could restaurants and hotels be stripped of their livelihood as well? Does this also mean that staff in hospitals will have the right to bring their pets to work?"


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