TENANTS can no longer be automatically stopped from having a pet in their rental property.
Thousands of Brits have already adopted animals to keep them company during the pandemic, but doing so could previously get renters in trouble with their landlord and even get them evicted.
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Currently, just seven per cent of private landlords advertise pet-friendly properties, the government said, meaning many people struggle to find suitable homes.
In some cases, this has meant tenants have had to give up their pets all together.
But the ministry of housing, communities and local government has unveiled a new standard tenancy agreement template, which is the recommended contract that landlords should use.
It stops landlords issuing blanket bans on their tenants having pets.
How to find pet-friendly rentals
VERY few rental listings are listed as pet-friendly, but here is how you can find suitable properties for you and your furry friend.
Property portal Zoopla has a pets allowed filter. You can select the “pets allowed” box when search for a property under letting type.
OpenRent, the UK’s largest lettings agent, lets users search for pet-friendly properties on its website.
Flatshare website SpareRoom has a “pets considered” filter.
The Dogs Trust has also set up the Lets With Pets website that contains advice on how to find suitable rental properties.
Instead, landlords will have to object in writing within 28 days of a written pet request from a tenant and provide a good reason such as in smaller properties or flats where owning a pet could be impractical.
Housing minister Christopher Pincher said: “It can’t be right that only a tiny fraction of landlords advertise pet-friendly properties and in some cases people have had to give up their beloved pets in order to find somewhere to live.
“We are bringing an end to the unfair blanket ban on pets introduced by some landlords.”
Tenants will still be responsible for their pets and will have to pay for any damage caused.
Landlords will also be able to charge higher deposits for tenants with pets as long as it is within the cap of five weeks’ rent.
It may also cost more to rent a property if you have a pet.
Research by Generation Rent in 2019 found tenants were being charged up to £600 a year more in rent if they’ve got pets.
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