How do you comply with the tenant’s request to keep a pet?

How do you comply with the tenant’s request to keep a pet?

There is no denying that pets are popular! We are seeing an increased demand in Tenants requesting furry friends in rental properties, especially with the latest Righters Rents Bill. We have provided guidance below to comply with tenants’ requests to keep a pet. 

 

Tenants must ask you in writing if they want to keep a pet and should describe the pet in their request. If a tenant keeps a pet without your permission, it could breach the tenancy agreement. You cannot refuse a pet request without a valid reason and should consider each case individually. After a tenant asks to keep a pet, you have 28 days to reply in writing. If you do not respond within this time, the tenant can apply to the court. The court may step in if you are not meeting your responsibilities as a landlord. You can request more details about the pet, such as its type or size. Once the tenant provides this information, you have 7 days to respond.

 

You must let your tenant know whether you agree to or refuse their request, unless they have not provided the extra information you asked for. If you are a leaseholder, you may need to obtain your freeholder's permission, so check your lease terms.

 

When you can refuse a request for a pet 

 

It may be reasonable to refuse a request in some circumstances, such as:  

• Another tenant has an allergy  
• The property is too small for a large pet or several pets  
• The pet is illegal to own  
• If you’re a leaseholder, and your freeholder does not allow pets 

 

It will not usually be reasonable to refuse if you: 

• do not like pets   
• have had issues with tenants who had pets in the past  
• have had previous tenants with pets who damaged the property  
• have general concerns about potential damage in the future  
• think a pet might affect future rentals  
• know the tenant needs an assistance animal, such as a guide dog 

 

If you refuse a pet request, you must respond in writing to your tenant. You will need to explain why you are refusing the request.  Your tenant will have the right to challenge the refusal if they believe it is unreasonable. They will be able to submit a complaint to you or apply to the court to start court proceedings against you.  

 

Damage from pets 

 

You can choose to keep a portion of the deposit to cover repair costs caused by pet damage. You will not be able to claim the same damage twice. For example, from insurance and the deposit. You may be committing fraud if you do so.

 

If you are using a property management company, are they advising of the government guidelines surrounding pets in properties? Or, if you are a self-managing landlord are you realising the implications a lack of knowledge could cause for you? Not only have we been letting and managing properties since the 1960’s but we are also well versed in all the pending changes that will affect our clients this year and we are prepared!

 

We have an unrivalled reputation as a property management company from Cambridge city centre to the outskirts with additional branches in Longstanton, St Neots and Royston to ensure we cover all areas in between. We also cover Royston to Hertford and Ware ensuring a coverage of the prime Hertfordshire area. This leads us down the corridor to London which is another extensive are of prime rental properties. We manage rooms in HMO properties, we have houses to rent, flats to rent and we have rental properties in unique locations which are extensive in size and quality finishings.