Posts with tag: lets with pets

Standard tenancy agreement amended to prevent blanket ban on pets

Published On: January 29, 2021 at 9:31 am

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Categories: Landlord News,Tenant News

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New pet friendly measures introduced under Rented Homes Bill “potential gamechanger for dog owners” says Dogs Trust

The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) has announced a change to the Government’s standard tenancy agreement in England.

In a press release published yesterday, the Government states that landlords are no longer able to issue a blanket ban on pets. The aim is for the new standard tenancy agreement to make it easier for tenants with pets to find rented accommodation. 

The statement goes on to say: “Instead, consent for pets will be the default position, and landlords will have to object in writing within 28 days of a written pet request from a tenant and provide a good reason.”

Housing Minister Rt Hon Christopher Pincher MP commented: We are a nation of animal lovers and over the last year more people than ever before have welcome pets into their lives and homes.

“But 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.

“Through the changes to the tenancy agreement we are making today, we are bringing an end to the unfair blanket ban on pets introduced by some landlords. This strikes the right balance between helping more people find a home that’s right for them and their pet while ensuring landlords’ properties are safeguarded against inappropriate or badly-behaved pets.”

Robert Jenrick, Secretary of State for Housing, Communities & Local Government, has Tweeted: “Too few renters can enjoy the pleasure and companionship of pets. We’ve updated the standard tenancy agreement to make allowing well behaved pets the norm – and are encouraging all landlords and agents to adopt it.”

Jen Berezai, Co-founder of AdvoCATS, comments: “AdvoCATS welcomes the new Model Tenancy Agreement announced by the Ministry of Housing, it’s fantastic news and a huge step forward for all those who have campaigned for change. Now, responsible pet owning tenants, many of whom have previously been forced to choose between their pet vs a roof over their heads, will find it much easier to keep their family together.

“AdvoCATSeastmids is a voluntary organisation that offers a free support and advice service to landlords and tenants where a tenant wants to bring a pet or pets into a rented property. For more information, including a DIY Top Tips section for those outside the core East Midlands area, please visit www.advocatseastmids.org.uk.”

Mark Hayward, Chief Policy Adviser of Propertymark comments: “Whilst we acknowledge that allowing pets can make a property more desirable and encourage tenants to rent for longer, even the best-behaved pets will have an impact on a property.

“The UK Government must recognise the impact of their decision to cap deposits and the knock-on costs that landlords face. This is a complex issue that is determined on a case-by-case basis highlighting the need for landlords to get advice from a professional letting agent.”

Read the full press release here: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/new-standard-tenancy-agreement-to-help-renters-with-well-behaved-pets

Landlords can access the Government’s model agreement for a shorthold assured tenancy here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/model-agreement-for-a-shorthold-assured-tenancy

56% of landlords considering allowing pet-friendly rental properties

Published On: November 5, 2020 at 10:28 am

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Categories: Landlord News

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New pet friendly measures introduced under Rented Homes Bill “potential gamechanger for dog owners” says Dogs Trust

With households across the UK looking to adopt a pet to keep them company during lockdown, proptech start-up Home Made has researched the cities with the most pet-friendly rental properties.

Home Made analysed the rental properties advertised on Zoopla in the UK’s 25 largest cities during October 2020. The data shows that Plymouth has the highest number, followed by Edinburgh, then Stoke. However, the percentages were not very high.

Home Made’s top UK cities for pet-friendly rental properties:

Ranking city % of pet-friendly rental properties

1. Plymouth 8%

2. Edinburgh 6%

3. Stoke 4%

4. Northampton 4%

5. Glasgow 4%

6. Manchester 3%

7. Bristol 3%

8. London 3%

9. Nottingham 3%

10. Liverpool 2%

11. Brighton 2%

12. Southampton 2%

13. Birmingham 2%

=13. Bradford 2%

14. Reading 2%

15. Derby 1%

16. Coventry 1%

17. Cardiff 1%

18. Sheffield 1%

19. Hull 1%

20. Leeds 1%

21. Portsmouth 1%

22. Newcastle 1%

23. Leicester 0%

24. Belfast 0%

Home Made’s research also reveals that almost one in 10 renters are currently looking for pet-friendly properties (London and the South West). The survey of UK renters with pets revealed that dogs were the most popular pet (60%), followed by cats (50%), fish (15%) and small pets, such as hamsters (12%).

However, 39% of UK renters haven’t been able to rent a property because they are a pet owner.

Home Made also surveyed landlords to seek their views, with those who don’t offer pet friendly properties stating that the potential damage to their investment was their main concern (67%).

52% of the renters polled responded they would be happy to pay at least 5% more rent as a ‘pet premium’ to mitigate any possible wear and tear. 7% stated they are prepared to pay 10% more each month.

23% of landlords said that their letting agent actively advised them against advertising as ‘pet-friendly’. This could lead to landlords missing out on quality renters, longer tenancies, potentially higher rents and shorter void periods.

To help alleviate landlords’ concerns, 53% of pet owning renters would also be happy to set up a meeting so the landlord can get to know them and their pet. 38% would also be happy to provide references from ex-landlords to demonstrate their pet is well behaved. 

A quarter of renters said that they would be forced to rehome their pet if they couldn’t find a property. Whilst many would aim to rehome the pet with a friend or family member, 6% said that they would be forced to take their pet to a shelter. 24% of renters said that they would rather go homeless than give up their pet.

Despite some landlords being reluctant to allow pets in their properties, they do recognise the benefits it offers for both themselves and renters. 56% of landlords are currently considering changing their policies to allow pets in their rental properties, following the rise in pet ownership during lockdown. 55% are considering changing their stance because they believe that letting renters have a pet means they will get more enjoyment from their home. 49% recognise that tenants would be inclined to stay longer in the property, and 34% believe it would lead to fewer void periods.

CEO and founder of Home Made, Asaf Navot, comments: “We’re a nation of pet lovers – even more so following lockdown. But finding a rental property to suit you and your pet or pets can be tough. It is understandable many landlords are concerned about potential damage to their properties as we know that pets can be hard on a home. But there are real upsides to renting to pet owners – they’re often more conscientious tenants and they stay longer.

“If you’re a renter with a pet, try getting pet references from previous properties or organise a play date with the landlord so they can get to know your friend.

“If you’re a landlord concerned about your property, chat to prospective tenants about the additional wear and tear and factor this into tenancy negotiations. You can also spend some time pet proofing the property by removing items like rugs that could be easily damaged.

“No one should have to rehome a pet because of a lack of housing options – and searching for pet-friendly properties needs to be made easier. As a team of animal lovers, we’ve created a ‘pet-friendly property’ search tool on our site so prospective renters can find the perfect place to live.”

Searches for pet-friendly homes more than doubled since lockdown began

Published On: July 16, 2020 at 8:15 am

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Categories: Tenant News

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pet-friendly homes

Rental platform Movebubble has seen an increase in home-hunters searching for pet-friendly homes since the start of lockdown.

Searches for homes allowing pets have more than doubled (increasing by 109%).

The platform analysed internal data from over 700,000 users, comparing week 13 (commencing 23rd March) to week 19 (commencing 4th May). In particular there has been a surge of interest from city renters in the north, with searches increasing 140% in Manchester. In comparison, London saw a rise of 106%.

Looking at year-on-year data, searches for pet-friendly homes are up 65% compared to June 2019.

Properties with outdoor space are also more sought after, seeing a 193% rise in interest since mid-March. This could be seen to go hand-in-hand with the requirement to find a place that allows pets.

Aidan Rushby, CEO of Movebubble, commented: “Since lockdown came into effect, people have not only rapidly adapted to Home Walkthrough video viewings – but have shown a real shift in new priorities coming to light in the search for a new home.

“With millions of people now working from home or on extended furlough, many have taken the opportunity to quench long-held aspirations to have a pet to keep them company.

“While today’s forced remote working culture has been an adjustment for lots of Brits, many are looking forward to the possibility of working from home more after the pandemic subsides – suggesting we could see this burgeoning trend continuing. 

“As pet owners ourselves, we know how it can be more challenging to find a home that accepts pets. The good news is things are changing. 

“Earlier in the year, housing secretary Robert Jenrick called on landlords to make it easier for tenants renting a property with pets, so homeowners are being actively encouraged to consider responsible tenants with furry friends.”

TOP 10Top 3 –  SouthTop 3 – North
1.     E14, London (Canary Wharf)
1.     E14, East London, Canary Wharf
1.     M50, Salford Quays
2.     M50, Manchester (Salford Quays)
2.     NW1, London2.     M3, Manchester
3.     NW1, London3.    HA0, Harrow3.    M15, Greater Manchester
4.     HA0, Harrow
5.     HA9, Harrow
6.     E1, London
7.     N19, London
8.     M3, Manchester
9.     UB3, Hayes, Harlington, Hillingdon
10.   E17, London
The postcodes with the most pet-friendly landlords, according to Movebubble

Would ending rental pet bans cause confusion for landlords and tenants?

Published On: February 7, 2020 at 9:15 am

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Categories: Landlord News

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rental pet bans

The Government plans to remove rental pet bans from its model tenancy agreement, but No Letting Go is concerned that this could cause confusion between letting agents, landlords and tenants.

The inventory service provider says that this confusion may lead to an increased number of disputes and put landlords’ properties at risk from unnecessary damage.

However, the revised model tenancy for renters aims to remove the ban on well-behaved pets, so there would be no reason why properties would be more at risk of damage simply because of this change.

This plan was announced by housing secretary Robert Jenrick at the beginning of January this year. He said that steps would be taken to ensure more landlords are ‘catering for responsible pet owners’.

Jenrick added the revised model agreement would stipulate that total bans on renters with pets should only be implemented where there is a good reason, such as a property being too small or having no outside space.

Growing demand for pets in the PRS

The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government says that only 7% of rental properties are advertised as being suitable for tenants with pets.

Yet there is a demand for pet-friendly properties, with a 2019 study by Landbay finding that almost one in seven renters rated ‘pets being allowed in the property’ as their most important requirement.

Zoopla has also found that the word ‘pets’ appeared in the top three most searched for property featured in every region across the UK.

Nick Lyons, CEO and Founder of No Letting Go, says: “As people rent for longer and increasingly view their rental properties as homes, it’s not a surprise to see the demand for pet-friendly properties is on the rise.

“However, the fact that only a very small number of landlords currently accept pets shows just how risky it can be.”

“Landlords who opt to accept pets can reap the benefits of higher demand and possibly higher rents, but they should approach accepting pets with caution and weigh up the pros and cons on an individual basis before committing.”

Too many grey areas will lead to confusion 

Lyons also explains: “For those landlords that choose to follow the government’s model tenancy, there could be several grey areas around which types of pets they have to accept and what constitutes a well-behaved pet.

“Something like the behaviour of an animal is subjective, so it’s easy to envisage problems arising when tenants keep pets and things don’t go to plan.

“If tenants are able to argue that their pets are ‘well-behaved’, it may be harder for a landlord to successfully make deductions from a security deposit where damage is caused.”

Lyons says these grey areas over liability of damage could cause financial problems for landlords.

“At this stage, we’re also wondering what would happen to a deposit and the liability for damage if pets were introduced during a tenancy,” he adds.

“Due to the variables of rental properties, animals and tenants themselves, it seems only right that landlords are able to make decisions on accepting pets on a case by case basis, rather than having to accept all pets within a certain framework if they choose to follow the model tenancy agreement.”

A timely reminder for relevant protection

No Letting Go says that landlords following the model tenancy agreement once it is revised will need to make sure they have the relevant pet protection in place.

This includes having suitable insurance and making sure detailed and independent inventories are carried out at the start and finish of a tenancy.

If landlords do choose to accept pets, they will need to monitor the condition of their property effectively through mid-term inspections.

Lyons concludes: “A thorough inventory could help a landlord to prove any damage and whether a pet has been ‘well-behaved’. This sort of information could be crucial in costs of repairs from tenants’ deposits.

“Due to the Tenant Fees Act, landlords can no longer charge higher security deposits to tenants with pets. Therefore, they must take a range of other steps and measures if they want to keep their property safe while tapping into the growing number of tenants who want to keep pets.”

Increase in landlords charging pet rent as Tenant Fees Act puts cap on deposits

Published On: September 5, 2019 at 9:10 am

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Categories: Tenant Fees Ban

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pet rent

Landlords in England are charging additional pet rent, as recent fees ban prevents them from asking tenants for a pet deposit.

The Guardian has reported this week that tenants with animals are being charged up to £50 a month extra rent for a single pet.

This is becoming an increasingly popular way for landlords to recoup lost income since the Tenant Fees Act 2019 came into force on 1st June.

Darren Baxter, a renter looking for a home in York with his partner, two children and cocker spaniel Padfoot, told The Guardian: “In certain letting agencies it seems to be a standard term in agreements.

“It seems exorbitant given the potential damage a pet can cause. We went to one place where they wanted a reference for the dog. That was ridiculous.”

He pointed out that this is yet another example of how people who cannot afford to buy are disadvantaged when it comes to being able to enjoy some of the basics of family life.

The ban on tenant fees is supposed to be saving renters in England a total of £240m a year. However, with landlords no longer able to ask for an additional pet deposit, which would have been refundable at the end of the tenancy, they now feel they need to increase rent prices to guarantee this financial security.

Karolina Misiukiewicz, administrator at Elliot Oliver, an estate agent in Cheltenham, told The Guardian: “The only way to do it is to charge higher rent.

“It’s a new thing for us. In our experience we haven’t taken extra for hamsters or gerbils and definitely not fish.”

According to the veterinary charity PDSA, half of UK adults own a pet. This includes around 11 million owning cats and almost 9 million owning dogs. Research from Landbay, the buy-to-let focussed marketplace lender, has also found that a let where pets are allowed is the most sought-after attribute for tenants, when looking for a new home to rent.

Here’s what tenants look for most in a rental property

Published On: September 5, 2019 at 8:42 am

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Categories: Tenant News

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what tenants look for

Pet-friendly homes are what tenants look for most in a let, according to research from Landbay, the buy-to-let focussed marketplace lender.

2,000 private renters in the UK were involved in this study, which offers insight to landlords on what tenants look for.

The research found that 14% of renters rated ‘pets being allowed in the property’ as their most important requirement. Specifically in the North East, this figure rises to 27%. However, only 3% of renters in London selected this response.

Second on this list is an unfurnished home. 12% of renters said that this was the most desirable attribute. Landbay highlights that 22% renters aged 55 and above are five times more likely to consider an unfurnished property as crucially important than those aged between 18 and 34 (4%).

A home with a garden came third, with 11% of renters rating outdoor space as their most important attribute. Parents (15%) are more than twice as likely to prioritise a garden compared to non-parents (7%) Off-street parking and the quality of a property’s décor came fourth and fifth respectively.

Having a dryer came bottom of the list of most desirable attributes with just 1% of renters considering it key to their home. A king-sized bed, a balcony, and a dishwasher also polled just 1%. Just 2% of private renters consider a new build property as a priority.

Top Five AttributesBottom Five Attributes
Pets allowed 14%Dryer1%
Unfurnished 12%King sized bed 1%
Garden 11%Balcony1%
Off-Street parking 9%Dishwasher1%
Quality of décor 7%New build 2%

Deborah Mudway, Director, Landbay comments: “This will make interesting reading for landlords, who could be forgiven for believing little luxuries like a dishwasher, dryer and even a king-sized bed make all the difference for tenants. In fact, nothing could be further from the truth.

“Landbay is investing in a research series to help landlords understand tenants and opportunities within the private rental sector. This edition shows renters value two key attributes above all others that are fundamentally free to bring in. In short, they want to make their property feel like home by bringing both pets and their own furniture with them. The reality is, aside from a deeper clean at the end of a tenancy, this really isn’t hard for landlords to implement.

“Essentially, landlords knowing what renters want can make for a happier, more prosperous relationship which benefits both parties in the long run.”