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Half of landlords back measures to get pets in rented property - claim

A controversial survey by an insurance firm suggests almost half of landlords welcome the government’s new Model Tenancy Agreement which allows pets in rental properties. 

In January Housing Secretary Robert Jenrick recommended a new contract template for landlords to use with tenants. 

Previously landlords using the agreement were able to issue blanket bans on pets in their properties but landlords who use the new contract will now have to object in writing within 28 days of a written pet request from a tenant and provide a good reason. 

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However, although no official figures exist, it is thought few landlords use the model tenancy.

But this new survey from Direct Line Business Insurance says just 30 per cent of landlords say that they would submit an objection, even though currently only seven per cent of landlords advertise pet-friendly properties.

The insurance firm’s survey says it’s received an enthusiastic response from tenants with 62 per cent saying that they are happy. 

The main reasons for tenant support was that three in five believed fewer pet owners having to give up their animals, while had say it will mean fewer animals being stuck in animal trusts or rescue centres. And 35 per cent stated that they already had pets so it will make it easier to find a property in the future.

Tenants who have kept a secret pet in their rented property told the insurance firm they did this because they knew they would be denied if they asked consent, or they already owned a pet at the time of the tenancy, or they forgot to check with the landlord. 

 

Jamie Chaplin, Landlord Business Manager at Direct Line, says: “The new Model Tenancy Agreement brings good news for animal-loving tenants, with responsible owners able to keep well-behaved pets in rented properties wherever the government’s recommended legal template is in use.

“And with a majority of landlords stating that they do not intend to submit an objection under the terms of the new Model Tenancy Agreement, it looks like more pet owners can rent properties with furry friends without worrying about breaching their tenancy agreement – as long as they are well-behaved.”

Want to comment on this story? If so...if any post is considered to victimise, harass, degrade or intimidate an individual or group of individuals on any basis, then the post may be deleted and the individual immediately banned from posting in future.

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    Its not an issue then is it and those of us who want to have pet free rentals should be allowed to say no?

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    • 15 April 2021 11:04 AM

    Tricia - Of course we MUST be allowed to ban pets in OU Rhoses!!!!!

     
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    Half of landlords are in agreement ?? has anyone on here been asked ? I certainly have not. Our properties our decision, as I've said before I'm one of very few landlords that will ''CONSIDER'' pets, I do not automatically accept any tenant with any pet, that is my decision and mine alone.

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    • 15 April 2021 11:05 AM

    For sure I was not asked?????

     
  • Neil Moores

    Has anyone in government considered the fact that the majority of flat leases usually state that pets are not allowed or can only be allowed with the Freeholder's consent? I very much doubt it.

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    • 15 April 2021 11:09 AM

    Brilliant. I did not think of that.

    So if I am a house freeholder, I then can ban pets?

    Or not?

     
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    And many mobile home parks also have a similar attitude - "NO PETS ALLOWED".

     
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    Nope I wasn’t asked. However if are being made to take on pets then it comes at a price which is drumroll.....
    £100 per pet per month. Goldfish will get a pass

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    • 15 April 2021 11:08 AM

    Needs to be more than £100 a month.......Do you have any idea what a complete carpet installs and cleaning and eaten woodwork in a year cost......

    And then imagine the mess after a few years.

    And I DEMAND the right as a landlord to be able to choose if I want to allow pets.

     
  • Matthew Payne

    Direct Line sniffing out there is some money to be made from the proposed insurance policy solution announced recently. Can't wait to see how their underwriters are going to define Mr Chaplins "- as long as they are well behaved". Those couple of sentences alone will determine whether this idea has any legs.

    My gut feel is landlords are being led down the garden path that will make normal pet dilaps impossible to claim for. Claims will be limited to violent misbehaving animals that chew the furniture, not normal "well behaved" ones who still cause damage simply by being an animal. Routine cleaning/defleaing and redecorating which are always the greatest costs won't count.

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    Define well - behaved!!! How do I reference a pet's behaviour?

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    I would seriously doubt that’s it’s “anywhere near half”. Fake news!

  • Trevor Cooper

    We provide a letting and management service. Another company in our area offers lettings only and regularly champions in the media how pets and children should not be banned from rental properties, knowing they will never have to deal with the problems that can cause.

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    I allow pets in my house but not in my flat - my property (and the banks ;D) , my decision. I will not be forced into allowing pets if I don't want to.

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    • 15 April 2021 11:11 AM

    Bad landlords when these animals wreck their houses?
    Go work it out.

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    Don't forget the dirty marks at low level in doorways where cats and dogs push through and do not use door handles and the cat hair on curtains as they sit at high level looking ot the window. Cat scratch areas are carpets and wooden furniture including garden fences. So it is a complete re-dec and replace carpets and repair damages so it is a massive repair bill that insurers will sidestep. Forget the insurance as this will never work. Just look at the business interuption cover that many shop owners had which strangely were not recognised.

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    This has been poorly thought out by someone that either has never had a pet of has never rented to a tenant with a pet that has got old or poorly etc. My cat is 11. She suddenly developed diabetes in November and is SO poorly now (while the vets are trying to get her insulin dosage correct) that she has been going to the toilet around the house because she simply has no energy to walk properly atm. We are home a lot and are very quick to clean up and use the carpet cleaning machine, BUT IT STILL SMELLS!!! This is with immediate and very thorough cleaning! She cannot help it and is obviously up set by it, but it is out of her control. But she is a well behaved cat. So, if your tenants pet suddenly becomes ill or old and has this kind of problem, are they in breech of their contract?? Morally I could not get on to a tenant in this situation, so I wouldn't even want to put a tenant in that position to start with. Sorry, no pets in our properties. Btw, I have never been officially asked my views on the subject so no idea who they are asking.

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    Statistically since only 7% of landlords accept pets, Daniel C must be referring to 93% of landlords when he calls us money grubbing! Most of you quote cats and dogs but I had to replace carpets and a chunk of skirting board after my tenants let their pet rabbit loose. Anyway - much ado about nothing - I wrote to my MP about this (why don't you since there appears to be no equivalent to Shelter fighting for us) and the answer I got was that "the MTA is an optional agreement and... landlords WILL NOT be put in a position where they accept a pet where they do not want to" and " The government has no plans at this time to amend the law relating to pets"

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    • 15 April 2021 12:39 PM

    I will never allow pets in my property. They can keep shouting about it all they want.

  • PossessionFriendUK PossessionFriend

    Well that's the end of landlords business with Direct Line,! - they've shown their true colours as to who's side they're on !!!

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    I spent over 30 yrs in the motor trade, trust me you don't want to be insuring with Direct line, they will do anything to wriggle out of a claim and take for ever to pay up.

     
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    Who could believe an Insurance Company they change policy terms & conditions add exclusions all the time in the small print take it or leave it. All collude with each other and pass your information around no one else that I know is allowed to do this. It must be all acceptable to the Ombudsman.

  • Mandy Paterson

    To add to the comms, I haven’t been asked and no one that I can see in this forum has either. I will continue letting my houses without pets. I have recently been pressured to say yes to a tenant keeping a rabbit based on the following: Please find below information below regarding tenants being able to keep rabbits at the property:-

    Links to the Allotment Act which overrides anything written in the contract as it is a Statute law:

    Allotments Act 1950 (legislation.gov.uk)

    Property118 | Landlords must let tenants keep chickens and rabbits

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    Well easy way out of this one, we can increase the rent once per year, no limits that I know of at present, so double it, and still there this time next year double it again , don't pay any attention to property 118 idiots that don't know what they are talking about

     
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    I suppose a few hens would be ok. eggs for breakfast.
    The Cockerel would save you setting the alarm clock

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    I only eat eggs from free range hens, and so should you !

     
  • Andrew Murray

    My friend who is a landlord and I were asked about allowing pets . He said yes and I said no so there are your survey results. A professional in-depth fully financed and independent survey ready for printing.

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    • 16 April 2021 15:03 PM

    Must be correct then.
    Blimey - I will have to put up my rents by about £250 per month to cover future damage.

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    The article says at the end: ". . . as long as they are well-behaved".
    When exactly will landlords find out if the animal has been well behaved? At the 6-month inspection? That is way too long. I bought a house from a dog owner. The damaged caused by the dog sharpening its teeth on the furniture was awful. I had to throw it all out. Of course I factored that into the offer I made for the house but that won't apply for tenants; it'll be too late. And then there are going to be inevitable 'accidents'. Maybe the pet is sick or the owner can't be bothered to take Fido for a walk IN MY GARDEN which will fill up with poo very quickly.; lovely for the next tenants.

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