7th
Apr 2021
Conservative MP Andrew Rosindell who is responsible for progressing a Bill through Parliament ordering landlords to allow pets in their properties, says he is putting his weight behind a law change allowing tenants to pay for pet damage insurance.
The current Tenant Fees Act passed during Theresa May’s Conservative government, bans lettings fees except for a small number of charges that are paid by tenants. However the list of acceptable exemptions that tenants do have to pay does not include pet damage insurance, which is the landlords responsibility if they allow pets in their properties.
The MP has written a foreword to the pro-pet group AdvoCATS’s report, Rosindell says: “The Tenant Fees Act of 2019 had positive aims but it has clearly been harmful to the cause of greater pet ownership for renters, an issue which has come to a head given the loneliness and self-isolation many have suffered during this pandemic, something which a dog or a cat could really ameliorate.
“Amending it to allow for landlords to require insurance as part of the permitted payments might only be a start, but it would be a positive start and I hope the government explores this as an option.”
Rosindell is pushing hard for the Dogs and Domestic Animals Accommodation and Protection Bill in the House of Commons which he originally presented to parliament in his Private Members Bill.
The measure - which has had its first reading but has been held back by the pandemics effect on causing a backlog of Commons activity, is calling for a reform of laws allowing tenant’s pets to live with them in rented accommodation, if they can prove and demonstrate their care for them.
Earlier this year the new model tenancy agreement was introduced by the government which is not compulsory for landlords to use, but those who do will have to abide by consent for pets which is the default position.
Under the government version of a tenancy agreement, landlords must provide a written objection within 28 days to a tenant’s written request from a tenant and must back up their stance by providing a good reason.
AdvoCATS has released a report titled ‘Heads for Tails’ which explains how pet damage insurance could allay the considerable fears held by landlords and letting agents to allow tenants to living with pets in their properties.
News Archive »