Little may have been heard of Conservative MP Andrew Rosindell in recent months but he has broken his silence to back the government’s proposal to make it easier for renters to keep pets.

Rosindell, the MP for Romford, last year introduced the Dogs and Domestic Animals Accommodation and Protection Bill into the House of Commons. 

It called for dogs and other animals to be allowed in rented accommodation so long as owners demonstrate their care for them.

The proposal had cross-party support and was backed by animal welfare charities including the RSPCA, Battersea, Dogs Trust, Cats Protection and Dogs on the Streets. However, no time was found for the Bill to make progress because Coronavirus restrictions have cut debating time in the House of Commons.

But a similar provision contained in the government’s Fairer Private Rental Sector White Paper has now won support from Rosindell, who wanted his own measure to be called “Jasmine’s Law” after the name of a dog he knew of.

Rosindell says:  “I welcome the legislation being proposed to fix a problem which often unfairly discriminates against pet owners. Since I first proposed Jasmine’s Law to Parliament it has only become more clear to me that we need to urgently find a solution to the problem of how to bring pets into rented accommodation.

“I know first-hand just how much joy pets bring, and the fantastic effect they have on your mental and physical wellbeing. It doesn’t make any sense to exclude renters from these benefits. 

“Pets are an important part of many families. They bring joy, but can also be a great help in hard times. I’m sure many people could not imagine going through the pandemic without their pets by their sides.”