There are certain messages landlords learn to fear from their tenants “My boiler’s stopped working” has a special place, “there’s a small leak in the bathroom” raises an eyebrow but nothing compares to the emotional rollercoaster of: “Hi hope you are well? I was thinking of getting a dog!”
That single smiley face somehow contains claw marks, chewed skirting boards, mysterious smells, fur on every surface and a labrador named Rocky redecorating your garden. In the new world of letting, “No Pets” has gone from a firm boundary to opening of negotiations.
Under the new rules tenants can formally request permission to keep a pet and landlords cannot unreasonably refuse that request. Decisions should be based on valid, fair reasons and not a personal dislike of hamsters. Basically, a landlord saying “I just don’t fancy it” is no longer bulletproof.
Contrary to popular belief this doesn’t mean every tenant will suddenly want six dogs and a parrot and your property will not instantly resemble a wildlife sanctuary, landlords are not powerless to say no and you still have control, you just need to use it properly.
A landlord can refuse a pet, but that refusal must make sense. Reasonable grounds to say no include, the property being too small for the animal, lease restrictions, health and safety concerns and the property simply not being suitable.
It is important to ask the right questions, what type of animal, breed and size, together with behaviour history. At this stage it is worth considering specialist landlord insurance that covers pet damage. Once agreed it is essential that your approval is confirmed in writing with certain conditions to cover a professional clean at the end of the tenancy, damage responsibility and supervision expectations. Routine property inspections to check for wear and tear and identifying any issues early is imperative, having an agent manage your property is more vital than ever to regulate these visits for one thing.
Allowing pets in your rental property may feel like hassle but it can work very much in landlords favour. Tenants with pets will more likely stay longer in your rental investment which will greatly reduce any void periods. A good tenant with a well-behaved dog is much better than a revolving door of pet free chaos.
So, in summary. The new regulations are pushing landlords toward a more professional balanced approach. This means listen to your tenant before deciding, document reasoning and avoid knee jerk refusals.
If you would like more information about pet agreements and insurance drop me a line at r.heath@barbers-online.co.uk or call one of your local Barbers offices.
In-house conveyancing with Barbers
You often hear people talking about the stress of moving home. With so much to organise, it's hardly surprising. You'll need a reliable, local solicitor for your conveyancing – and we know just the team!
Get an online quote today