New bill aims to increase rights of pet-owning tenants in the UK

The Renters (Reform) Bill, introduced in the UK Parliament earlier in May, aims to change the UK’s private rental sector by allowing more freedom to those renters who own pets.

The proposal, sponsored by the UK’s Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Community, establishes that pet-owning tenants will have the right to challenge landlords withholding consent to allow pets in their properties. 

“The landlord must consider it and cannot unreasonably refuse,” it reads. 

This applies to denial of renting property, no-fault evictions, and “unreasonable” objections from landlords who can request the renter obtain pet insurance to cover any damage to their property.

In the case of a disagreement, tenants can present complaints to the Private Rented Sector Ombudsman or the legal court.

Legislative discussion

The bill is still in the early stages of examination. It has already passed a first reading in the House of Commons and is awaiting a second one. After the third reading, it will head to the House of Lords. 

Once approved and received Royal Assent, the new regulations will come into force in two stages to ensure that stakeholders have enough time to implement the changes.

UK-based insurance company CIA Landlords acknowledges that while these changes “may cause some landlords to worry about the potential risks associated with renting to pet owners,” they may also offer opportunities to attract a wider pool of tenants. 

“Allowing tenants to have pets may also lead to higher satisfaction rates and longer tenancy durations, giving landlords long-term security,” says Richard Wayman, Finance Director at CIA Landlords.

London has the most pet-friendly housing 

A recent CIA Landlords insurance survey concluded that only 7% of England’s landlords list their properties as pet-friendly though many more are open to negotiating.

London is the best city to rent with dogs, with over 2,213 pet-friendly rental properties available at the time of writing. The capital also has the highest number of sitters and kennels per 250,000 inhabitants (0.4). There are 1.3 pet shops for the same number of people.

At a long distance comes Edinburgh (with 37 listed properties officially allowing pets), Southampton (22) and Nottingham (19).