EXCLUSIVE: Politicians back calls for law reform to enable landlords to take pets

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A pets charity is calling for the Tenant Fees Act to be amended to allow landlords to either take additional deposits off tenants seeking to rent with pets or require tenants take out extra insurance.

The campaign is based on a new report called Heads for Tails! published by East Midlands-based AdvoCATS.

It is backed by leading organisations within the private rented sector including LandlordZONE and a clutch of high-profile parliamentarians.

The main aim of the campaign is to have parliament amend the Tenant Fees Act 2019 to enable landlords to either stipulate pet damage insurance is provided, or charge a separate capped pet deposit, so avoiding the devastating impact of ‘no pets’ clauses.

Backers of the initiative include Green Party leader Caroline Lucas, LibDem leader Sir Ed Davey, campaigning MP Andrew Rosindell and the National Office for Animal Health.

Other high-profile backers include Sir David Amess, Dame Meg Hillier, Sheryll Murray (APGOCATS), Lisa Cameron (APDAWG), Lord Goddard of Stockport, Lord Oates and Lord Trees.

Sean Hooker (pictured), Head of Redress at the Property Redress Scheme, says: “The issue of pets in rental properties has sparked a lot of, often emotive, debate and this conflict is not healthy for the sector.

“The Heads for Tails report outlines a blueprint for a set of clear and fair rules that protect the interests of both tenants and their landlords.”

AdvoCATS founder Jen Berezai (pictured) has sent a copy of the report to ministry housing officials and also key MPs in rental hotspots around the UK to persuade the government to amend the Tenant Fees Act and solve the problem of landlords who ban pets.

Sarah Dixon of Focus On Animal Law, adds: “We are delighted to support Andrew Rosindell MP and AdvoCATS as they move forward with a proposal which offers both tenants with pets, and landlords, protection and security.” 

Berezai adds: “The Heads for Tails! report and campaign really seems to caught the mood – we have a phenomenal amount of support from some major players in both the animal welfare and private rented sectors, which, when added to the fact that demand for pet friendly homes has increased by 120% since just last summer, surely means the Government must take heed of this report and react accordingly?”.

The full report is to be published tomorrow (2nd September). A summary briefing paper can be read here.

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