Despite recent discussions held between industry organisations about letting ‘furry friends’ into PRS homes, they are still unable to decide upon the best ways for landlords to avoid additional costs and damages caused by tenants’ pets.

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An industry supplier of technology-driven products and services for agents, landlords and tenants has been holding a series of forums latest of which was in September. The recent forum included industry associations, the Property Redress Scheme, pet charities but also a Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities representative.

Ever since Boris Johnson’s led government introduced its new model tenancy agreement which openly welcomed tenants to have pets in their rented homes there has been a barrage of debates across the sector; this was further compounded by the recent White Paper for the rental reform Bill which listed the government’s default position that landlords should allow tenants to live in their rented homes with pets, unless there were ‘exceptional’ reasons why they are unable to. 

One of the major concerns discussed in the forum is how pet owners are proven to be responsible, and whether the rental reform act will approach the issue of being allowed to charge tenants for the costs of additional insurance, to cover any pet damage to their ‘rented homes’.

There is a wide spread feeling that the PRS rental reform itinerary has been put to one side because of more pressing issues for Truss’ new government to contend with. Many within the PRS are wondering whether some of the more contentious provisions in the White Paper may be in doubt, such as the near compulsory order for agents and landlords to allow tenants to have pets.

Following September’s latest forum a spokesperson for an industry body, said: “Research shows that allowing tenants to keep their pets leads to longer and happier tenancies, however, legislation over the past few years has left letting agents and their landlords feeling there is not adequate protection should damage to a property occur.

“We are keen to develop a solution that helps ensure more landlords and agents are happy to take on a tenant with a pet and look forward to continuing our work with the Pets in Lets forum to develop solutions to this issue that meet the needs of everyone involved.”

The spokesperson for the forum’s organiser added: “It is vital for us that the Pets in Lets forum represents the views, opinions, and ideas from a wide variety of stakeholders. We have welcomed new members and we were excited to be joined by The Department For Levelling Up, Housing And Communities.

“As we open the lines of communication and work with policy makers, we look to continue leading the way on developing solutions which meet the needs of agents, landlords, tenants and pets to ensure the changes within legislation are effectively implemented within the industry”