The Kennel Club welcomes new Tenancy Agreement ending 'unfair' blanket ban on pets. Long-term vision deemed crucial to protect pandemic pets.

The Kennel Club has welcomed a move by Government which aims to enable more people renting in England to keep ‘well-behaved’ pets and prevents landlords from issuing blanket bans. Under the new Model Tenancy Agreement announced yesterday (28 January 2021), consent for pets will be the default position, and landlords will have to object in writing within 28 days of a written pet request from a tenant and provide a good reason.

Dr Ed Hayes, Head of Public Affairs at The Kennel Club, welcomed the move: “This clause within the new Model Tenancy Agreement is certainly a step in the right direction, encouraging responsible pet ownership as well as benefiting animal welfare."

"“Whilst this clause isn’t legally binding, we encourage landlords to adopt this as best practice and put a stop to unfair blanket bans on pets, which clearly the Government now recognises is a problem."

Please read the full Kennel Club release HERE

I saw that and yes its very welcome. I know landlords are often concerned about damage but many animals arnt any problem at all

I hadn't seen this and welcome this change in attitude, AS LONG AS THE AGENTS WILL TAKE THIS ONBOARD.   From our considerable experience (we have no option but to rent for a number of reasons), it's not necessarily the landlords who don't want people with dogs, but the agents who all too often advise their landlords not to welcome people with dogs because all too often people with dogs allow them to abuse property belonging to others meaning it's less hassle for agents to say don't allow people with dogs.    I know of one multiple Agency down here in the West country who have a blanket no dogs policy.   I remonstrated with them once and was told 'the landlord doesn't want dogs' - end of.  The sad thing was many of their properties were out in the country and would have been ideal for us and our by then 2 hounds.   

We have been here in this property since July 2008 with absolutely no issues with our two (now sadly one) which I hope would stand us in good stead when the time comes for us to have to move.   Our landlady is in her 90s.  Part of why I've not been more inclined to find another dog to fill the huge gap left by Frankie, is because having just one 'might' make it easier to find somewhere else to live.   Prior to moving here, our previous landlady kept saying how much better the property looked than when she was living there - as did the neighbours!!   At that time, for 2.5 years, we had 3 there with permission for 2.   One of the 3 was elderly and in order to get the property, we had to hide her when we had inspections.  She wasn't there for long before we had to say goodbye to her.

If the standard Rental Agreement has a default to allowing pets that's a step in the right direction.

ps   I would just say that when viewing some properties, all too often I see damage done by previous tenants' dogs, and gardens with burnt grass.     Some tenants leave properties so damaged that any landlord would think never again!

furriefriends:> I know landlords are often concerned about damage but many animals arnt any problem at all

As a landlord myself of 2 little cottages I can confirm that I have welcomed my tennants with dogs and have never advertised 'no pets allowed'
Sounds awful but if a prospective tennant views, I ask them to bring their pet with them which then indicates how well the pet behaves and often
sways the decision on offering the property.
Bearing in mind also that a deposit is taken equivalent to the first months rent which covers any damage that hasn't been repaired on the tennant's
departure. The deposit would be held back by the landlord to cover exactly this circumstance).
Not sure the new suggested law will have any bearing on the situation of 'pandemic animals' as it isn't a compulsary rule sadly

I think as u say mambas that's the point the default  would be yes to pets but the landlord has 28 days to give a new and good reasons as to why .
I am sure its not going to be a total solution for potential tenants but at least may open some reasonable discussions.
I guess all depends if it becomes law

furriefriends:  > the landlord has 28 days to give a new and good reasons as to why not

I am very much a small time Landlord but I am sure the 'big boys' will have a written template of the reasons 'why not' which will be given to or provided by their agent and sent in response to any individual who applies for a property and declares they are a pet owner.  Those Landlords opposed to pet owning tennants will continue their beliefs and this new legislation will be worthless.  Discussion opening, maybe but without it being law - no clout - sorry to be doom & gloom but that's the reality IMO.

We became landlords for a few years when my dad decided to go into a care home. He didn’t want to sell his house so we dealt with renting it out via an agent. The agent said to not allow pets as they had had problems in the past and my dad didn’t want other peoples pets in their either, so we went with that. The couple that rented the house were really nice and we struck up a good relationship with them. They asked if the house ever came up for sale would we give them first refusal. Dad died two years later so we had the house valued and offered it to the tenants who accepted gladly. Once it was theirs they invited us round for a house warming and showed us pictures of a puppy they were getting. They said they had wanted to get a dog but knew they couldn’t whilst renting the house, which was such a shame as we would have been happy for them to have a dog and I’m sure we could have talked dad round.
Perhaps this new law will allow landlords to be more flexible over pets especially if the tenant is a good one and stop this blanket ban that tends to happen with agents who are, I guess, more likely to see the worse kind of tenant. And, of course, tenants without pets can be just as messy and destructive.

Jodi:> The agent said to not allow pets as they had had problems in the past.

The Agents try to limit any problems re negotiating the cost of an issue from their fees as they want to profit.

I realised this early on and decided to get rid of them (their charge was approx 20% of the monthly rental).
and met with potential tennants myself.

> And, of course, tenants without pets can be just as messy and destructive.

Absolutely Jodi and I have had a few of them too over the years! (some unruly/spoiled children are worse).

That's why I said I guess it all depends if it becomes law

Yes and I am agreeing with your comment furriefriends.

Also as it is so hard for Pet Owners to Rent one would hope as tenants they would be careful to keep the tenancy.

Thinking further about this news, I 'm glad the new Agreements default in favour of tenants and their dogs BUT I do wonder about the paperwork, and whether the end result would be as it is currently.  At least the LANDLORD would have to explain why no pets!! 

So many here are apparently wealthy landlords    I have to say that all too often these rental adverts read no pets, no kids ..... just don't move in but send us the money!