Being a responsible tenant with a pet
Renting with pets:
A responsible approach.
Renting a property with a pet can be a wonderful experience, but it’s important to be a responsible tenant to create a smooth tenancy with a peaceful and happy living environment. Suzy Hershman, Resolution Department Lead, shares her expert insights on how to navigate renting with a furry friend.
Permission and preparation:
Before bringing a pet into your rental property, it’s crucial to have written permission from your landlord. Ideally, this permission will be documented in your tenancy agreement if you are arranging it before moving in. If you are looking for permission to have a pet during the tenancy, make sure your request is reasonable, that there are no limitations on having a pet in the property, such as the head lease banning pets, and always keep an audit trail.
Keep in mind that if your landlord agrees to your pet, you might be responsible for certain reasonable extra costs at the end of the tenancy.
Additional costs and responsibilities:
Suzy Hershman provides valuable advice on being prepared for extra costs associated with renting with a pet:
- Additional damage responsibility: Currently, you may need to sign an additional clause accepting responsibility for any extra damage caused by your pet. This can be done at any point during the tenancy and will apply, depending on when you introduce the pet to the property. Examples would include clauses for professional cleaning and some specifically refer to carpets
- Tenancy deposit: In line with the Tenant Fees Act 2019, additional fees, including a pet deposit or higher security deposit, for accepting a pet was banned, causing many landlords to refuse pets at all. The Renters (Reform) Bill aims to deal with this, and the Government intends to allow landlords to:
- charge tenants for pet insurance to cover any damage
- not give tenants an automatic right to keep a pet in the property if the landlord initially refuses
- refuse a pet, but it must be reasonable. An Ombudsman or court will be able to decide if the landlord acted unreasonably. A clear definition of ‘unreasonably withholding consent ’needs to be provided
- Specialist clauses: You may need to sign an agreement for specialist cleaning or extra damage at the end of the tenancy, especially if your pet has left any traces behind
Minimizing costs:
To minimize potential costs, here are some responsible practices to follow:
- act responsibly during the tenancy, keeping the property regularly clean of pet hair and pet faeces in gardens and any communal areas
- look after the property generally, and your pet’s health
- be aware of the condition of the property when you moved in so that you can return it in the same standard
Avoiding issues:
Suzy Hershman advises on not:
- sneaking a pet in: Always tell your landlord about having a pet; sneaking one in could lead to your tenancy being ended and you having to move out
- leaving any mess or damage to build up: This can ruin gardens, cause surface or other damage to get worse over time, costing more to remedy
- causing a nuisance: Make sure your pet is no nuisance to neighbours, especially in terms of leaving mess and noise disturbance
Remember, being a responsible tenant when allowed to keep a pet makes for a positive renting experience for both you and your neighbours. Follow these tips so there is a respectful and harmonious living environment for everyone involved.
For more information on the Renters (Reform) Bill and the proposed changes to renting with pets, Total Landlord, also powered by Total Property, have a Renters (Reform) Hub which is regularly updated as more details emerge.