10^th Dec 2018

Cats Protection which is the UK’s largest cat welfare charity wants to help persuade landlords and lettings agents to consider taking out the 'pets not allowed' clauses from tenancy agreements, and has just launched a national campaign to achieve its aim.

The Sussex-based charity is backed by some well known sponsors (one of which is a leading brand of cat food) and has 36 UK centres which have been responsible for 46,000 cats being reunited with their owners or re-housed every year.

The charity is concerned by how tenants with cats are finding it hard to find homes that will take them. It is one of the five biggest reasons why the charity has to look after cats, because owners cannot find a landlord that is willing to offer them a tenancy.

It cites government figures (YouGov) that just under half (42%) of landlords are willing to take on tenants who are cat owners.

Jacqui Cuff Cats Protection’s Head of Advocacy & Government Relations, said: “More and more people are renting their homes either by choice or necessity, yet very few rented properties accept cats. It’s heart-breaking that so many renters are not able to own a cat but this needn’t be the case.

“Tenants are missing out on being able to own a cat, while landlords may be losing out on attracting responsible and settled tenants.”

The charity's website which includes downloadable legal wording for landlords and letting agents that can be included in their tenancy agreements containing a set of easy to follow conditions for tenants with cats (pets), on what they can and can't do, to protect agents and landlords.

Jacqui continued: “We hear from renters who tell us most adverts state ‘no pets’.

“Often, the reason for not allowing cats is simply habit, with a third of landlords saying they didn’t proactively choose to ban cats, but instead followed a standard template or advice from a letting agent.”

Richard Merrick of PIMS, said: "The United Kingdom is a nation of pet lovers and the bond established between pets and the owner/household is 'familial'. Nearly half of landlords do allow pets, however it is to a degree at some risk.

"Renting out a 'home' is a business that comes with many responsibilities, however there are cases where tenants with pets cost landlords many thousands of pounds in having to clean up and repair the properties, as well as lost revenues."

"Who ends up paying for that, not any pets' organisation? It is down to the landlords and their insurance, if their policy covers the occurrence. It is very understandable that some landlords are reticent as they wish to protect their investment as the majority of businesses do."

Richard added: "If the clause 'no pet's is taken out then there will almost certainly be cases where landlords and letting agents could be taken to court for being 'discriminatory if they turn down a particular type of pet....no matter what its size."


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