Having Pets In Rented Property: New Tenancy Rules
Having Pets In Rented Property: New Tenancy Rules
In the past, having pets in rented property has proven incredibly difficult for tenants, with only 7% of landlords advertising the accommodation as 'pet friendly.' Unfortunately, this means that renters have had to give up their pets in order to find somewhere suitable to live, or in some cases have faced eviction for bringing pets into the property.
Renters will know that pets just aren't typically welcomed by landlords, so getting permission from them can seem virtually impossible.
So, what's new?
Luckily, new tenancy rules brought in by The Ministry of Housing now prohibit landlords from automatically issuing a blanket ban on tenants for having pets. They will have to provide a 'good reason' for refusing their tenancy and have 28 days to oppose a tenant's pet request. This means that those who are renting across the country will receive greater protection.
So what are the 'good reasons' to object against having pets in rented property?
Until the new standard tenancy agreement template has been passed, we won't have complete clarity on what will be classed as a 'good reason', other than:
- Size of the property
- Accommodation type where owning a pet could be non-viable
Nevertheless, renters will still be responsible for any damage expenses to the property caused by their pets. They should also be prepared to pay a higher deposit when bringing their pet with them.
