Sheep and cats may not be obvious bedfellows, but here at Ewenice Towers in Dorking & Leatherhead we think our furry friends aren’t just good for our own well-being, they can also make financial sense for landlords.

As with so much of being a landlord these days, there are two elements to getting it right – understanding what the law says (and this may well be changing soon anyway) and the way you communicate with and manage your tenants. That change in the law has already appeared in the draft Renters Reform Bill making its way through Parliament and there is strong advocacy for it from both the Dogs Trust and Cats Protection pushing hard for a better deal for our family pets. The Dogs Trust have a great resource for landlords and tenants – www.letswithpets.org.uk – a website packed full of advice for tenants and landlords.

One of their key messages:

“By accepting tenants with pets you can increase demand for your properties and attract long-term, responsible tenants.”

In their report “Purrfect Landlords: A Guide”, Cats Protection look at the difference between landlord perceptions and reality with pets. One point stands out – 62% of landlords worry about damage to property, contents or the garden, but only 17% have ever experienced any such issue. And of course, such damage is almost always addressed by the tenant or covered by insurance.

As a landlord, hearing that message come from an organisation with a vested interest, you may be skeptical. But we firmly believe there is a lot of logic in their viewpoint. Let’s come back to those two elements and consider it purely from a landlord’s perspective.

The Law

Right now, you are perfectly within your rights to accept or refuse a pet in any property you make available to rent. The Model Tenancy Agreement was updated in 2021 to remove the blanket ban on pets from the standard contract, but there is no obligation to use that contract. Our policy at EweMove is to adopt a common sense approach to pets, working with our landlords. We use a ‘pet policy’ which clearly sets out what is – and is not – agreed and the obligations of the tenant to be a responsible pet owner. The Renters Reform Bill currently proposes a slight move to a position of giving tenants a right to request a pet in the property, which a landlord could not unreasonably refuse. We suspect belligerent landlords wouldn’t find it too difficult to concoct a ‘reasonable’ excuse to decline the request.

In short, the law does not currently offer tenants much comfort and we doubt the proposed changes will significantly alter the landscape for pet owners.

Your Relationship With Your Tenants

This is where we think there is a real opportunity for pet-savvy landlords to stand out from the crowd. According to the Dogs Trust, around 40% of UK households own pets. Of course some pets are far better house trained than others, but by and large, pet owners are responsible individuals who care deeply for their furry friends. And with far fewer properties allowing pets, a little thought may turn a pet-loving tenant into a good financial decision.

Here are a few tips to consider:

  • Before considering a tenant with a pet, seek references from previous landlords. You do this for the tenant, so why not their pet?
  • If your property is leasehold, make sure the head lease contains no clauses about pets.
  • Use a ‘pet clause’ in the lease that specifies the specific breed and identity of the pet permitted. You wouldn’t allow a new tenant without references, so make sure the same applies to pets. A ‘pet information form’ is also well-advised.
  • Consider a ‘pet policy’ that sets out the specific terms relating to pet ownership and residency. It will help avoid disputes and mis-understandings.
  • Check what your landlord insurance policy says about pets. Some provide cover and some may not. If there is an increase in cost, make sure you know this in advance so it forms part of your consideration when agreeing the rent.
  • A little longer term in the planning, but when refurbishing the property or replacing any furniture, consider pet-friendly options. As an example, hard floors are much easier to maintain in general.

Conclusion

As we reach the ‘tail-end’ of this article, our final observation is that tenants with pets are much more likely to stay longer-term and be happier generally. That must be good for landlords.

We are certainly asked on a regular basis about properties that allow pets, so why not tap into this growing sector and turn it to your advantage. For more advice on letting your property to a tenant with a pet, give Graham a call.