Call For Landlord's To Become More Pet Friendly

Many landlords do not allow their tenants to have a pet. Battersea Dogs Home have seen an increase in pets being surrendered, due to landlord's not accepting pets when tenants are moving to new homes.

In a survey last year, just 7% of landlords on one housing platform listed their property as suitable for pets, while another was an increase of 120% of demand for pet-friendly properties. Demand shows that 43% of tenants who took part owned a pet and a further 33% would like to in the future, but both found the landlord pet policies were making this difficult.

Pet ownership is vital to many people's physical and mental health. Whether it's the companionship that pets provide, or the opportunity to get outdoors and meet other people, pet-friendly housing policies will keep more animals in loving homes. The pandemic and lockdowns of 2020/21 have had a profound impact on people's relationships with their home and pet ownership, with people saying that their home and pets have become more important to them than ever.

35% of tenants told Battersea that they did not allow their tenants to keep a dog or cat, however that's an improvement on the 2017 figures of 55%. Only 3% of dog owners had said that their pet had been subject to a noise complaint and the same amount that their dog had done any damage (3%).

60% of people are living in accommodation where pets are banned would like to own a pet now or in the future.

The UK Government's revised Model Tenancy Agreement (which included a clause for landlords to allow pets) has unfortunately so far made little impact. Only 9% of landlords said they had changed their behaviour as a result, and most tenants were unaware of the agreement.

So do you have pet? We are aware of a local housing association that won't even allow a goldfish as a pet, let us know your stories.