New law set to give renters right to request pet
Under the new legislation, landlords will no longer be able to unreasonably refuse a request to keep a pet.
Renters could soon get the right to request to keep a pet under a new Renters’ Rights Bill announced by the government.
As part of the proposed law, landlords will have to consider any requests and will be unable to unreasonably refuse them. Landlords will be able to require that the tenant’s pet insurance covers any damage to the property.
The rules are similar to measures which the previous government had planned to introduce. However, the legislation failed to make its way through Parliament before the general election.
According to animal rehoming charities, not being able to find pet-friendly rental accommodation is a regular factor in people having to relinquish their pet.
Dogs Trust has reported that around 15 per cent of people contacting them about rehoming their dog mention accommodation issues, while Cats Protection has said that it takes in at least three cats a day because of landlords not allowing them in their property.
Research by Dogs Trust and Cats Protection found that while 46 per cent of landlords say they allow pets, just 30 per cent of tenants say their landlord would allow a dog in the property.
Both charities have welcomed the new legislation, as has the RSPCA.
Harriet Main, the RSPCA’s public affairs manager, said: "This is a potentially exciting day for many prospective pet owners in England - who have been unfairly denied the chance to own a pet purely because of living in rental accommodation.
“We also know many existing pet owners have also faced the heartbreaking prospect of having to rehome their animals to access certain accommodation - and hopefully that will soon be a thing of the past.
“Pets should absolutely be allowed to live with their owners in suitable, rented accommodation – unless there is a justifiable reason not to do so. The RSPCA hopes this new law will not only help keep loving owners and their pets together; but open up pet ownership to millions of people living in the private rented sector.”
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Defra has published guidance for the vet sector ahead of a proposed UK-EU Sanitary and Phytosanitary agreement.
