Rent to Tenants with Pets by Heather Hilder on July 28, 2020 “Rental Property & Pets” Rent to Tenants with Pets If you’re a Landlord, you may be wondering about why you might rent to tenants with pets. Almost half the UK population own a pet, yet many landlords are reluctant to accept pets! According to research by The Dogs Trust, some 78% of pet owners reported that they had experienced difficulty finding rented accommodation that would accept pets. However, as a Landlord, agreeing to accept pets can help you maximise your return on investment. Rent to Tenants and their Pets Prospective Tenants Your pool of prospective tenants is almost doubled! Reduce Rental Voids You are therefore likely to let your property quickly and avoid void periods Pet ‘Premium’ Owners of pets will often pay slightly more for a property due to the scarcity of properties that accept pets Longer Rental Periods Pet owners are more likely to stay longer in a property; they generally accept they may need to cover additional cleaning costs when they leave. The OFT regards a blanket ban on pet ownership by tenants as an “unfair term”. There is no reason why most pets cannot be accommodated within the existing terms of the lease (which already provides for “no damage”). Obviously goldfish, budgies and hamsters are unlikely to cause a problem, but landlords can worry about cats and dogs. Privileged Pets Cat-owning tenants should confirm that a “scratching post” will be provided. The inventory clerk should also pay particular attention to scratch-able areas. Not all dogs moult, and not all bark. Indeed, having a dog that barks occasionally can increase security in the area. Ask for a written reference from the tenants’ previous landlord. Also, you may wish to meet the pet first – it will then be up to you as to whether you wish to accept them. We provide separate clauses in our ASTs to cover tenants and their pets. Our aim is to help you maximise your return on investment (ROI), whilst protecting your property. Do let us know if you would like further details. So whether you’re considering renting to tenants with or without pets, call our Lettings specialist team on 01273 735237 or email enquiries@callaways.co.uk for further details of our comprehensive (award-winning) services.
