Apr

LATEST: 18% of tenants rank ‘pet friendly’ lets as main priority when house hunting

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Nearly one in five tenants rank permission to keep pets in their top three priorities for renting a home, new research has found.

A report by the Social Market Foundation, sponsored by Paragon Bank – Where next for the private rented sector? – highlights how 18% of tenants particularly look for landlords who allow four-legged friends into their homes.

Despite this, government statistics show only 7% of landlords market their properties as ‘pet friendly’.

The survey quizzed more than 1,300 renters and found that they most value aspects that enhance their experience, with outdoor space alongside permission to own pets among their top priorities.

The most important consideration is the monthly rent cost – a top three priority for 55% of those surveyed – followed by property size, in terms of the number of bedrooms, which is prioritised by 35% of renters.

In terms of what is important about the area where rented accommodation is located, being close enough to work was a priority for just under one in four renters (38%), followed by public transport facilities (37%) and shops (36%).

Richard Rowntree (pictured), mortgages MD for Paragon Bank, says the study shows that tenants are likely to stay in a property for the long-term and want to make it a real home, so he encouraged landlords to consider how they can facilitate that.

Rowntree adds: “In the current economic climate, we’re likely to see further pressure on rents but it is encouraging to know that there are things that landlords can do to improve the experience of renters.

“By listening to tenants and working to meet their needs, we can help to provide houses that people will be happy to call home which benefits the renters, landlords and wider community.”

Have your opinion on pets heard

LandlordZONE is supporting an ongoing effort by campaigning group AdvoCATS to find out landlord attitudes to pet damage to properties. Have your say here.

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