New Pet Rights for Renters
With the recent implementation of Labour’s Renters Rights Act, landlords should be prepared for a significant number of tenants to request the right to keep pets in their homes. According to research conducted by pet insurer Animal Friends, two-thirds of renters are planning to make such a request. This shift is due to new rules that provide tenants with stronger rights to ask for permission to have a pet, which landlords must consider and cannot unreasonably deny.
To ensure property protection, landlords will now have the option to require pet insurance that covers any potential damage caused by the animal. Before these changes, renters had to seek explicit permission from their landlords to keep a cat, dog, or other animals. Landlords were not required to provide a specific reason for denying such requests, and many housing contracts explicitly prohibited pets.
This situation has led to some difficult choices for pet owners. Approximately 37% of renters reported being unable to live with their pets because their landlords did not allow them to keep them, often resulting in the pets being given up. In over a quarter of cases, these beloved pets had to be rehomed with friends or family members, while 8% of renters had to send their dogs or cats to a rescue centre.
However, the new law offers hope for those who have been separated from their pets. More than half of renters who have been forced to part with their pets due to landlord policies now plan to bring them back home. Three out of ten renters intend to live with their pets as soon as possible.
Despite these positive changes, tenants still need to request permission from their landlords to keep a pet. However, landlords can only refuse if they have a valid reason, such as the pet being too large for the property.
Among those planning to get a pet, 62% prefer to get a dog. The cost of keeping a pet is an important consideration. An average dog can cost nearly £2,000 a year, while a cat costs around £1,500, according to Battersea Dogs & Cats Home. Pet insurance can also be expensive, with costs increasing significantly over the past decade, far exceeding general inflation rates.
Jen Wormleighton, head of veterinary services at Animal Friends Pet Insurance, emphasized the importance of considering long-term costs when deciding to get a pet. These costs include initial expenses such as beds or litter trays, ongoing expenses like food and preventive healthcare, walking or boarding costs, potential veterinary care, and the animal’s expected lifespan.
Bringing a pet into the family should always be a well-thought-out decision, including financial preparedness. For renters considering getting a cat or dog or bringing one back after having to give them up, it’s essential to understand the responsibilities and costs involved.
If you are a renter planning to get a cat or dog or bring one back after having to give them up, it’s crucial to take these factors into account. Make sure you are fully prepared for the commitment and financial obligations that come with pet ownership.
