MINISTER: Landlords can reject pets if ‘demonstrably poorly behaved’

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The government has hardened its position on the hurdles that tenants will have to clear before a landlord needs to allow pets into their property.

Answering a written question from MP Rachael Maskell (pictured) about what constitutes a good reason for landlords to decline a pet ownership request from a tenant, Housing Minister Christopher Pincher (pictured training a police dog, main pic) provided a more detailed explanation using the revised Model Tenancy Agreement, that should give landlords a little more leeway.

He replied: “A good reason for a landlord to decline a pet ownership request would be where a pet is demonstrably poorly behaved or unsuited for the premises in question, for example, a large dog in a small flat, or where other tenants have allergies to animals.”

The minister has gone further than the agreement, which instead notes that, ‘The landlord should accept such a request where they are satisfied the tenant is a responsible pet owner and the pet is of a kind that is suitable in relation to the nature of the premises at which it will be kept.’

Revised agreement

Pincher added: “The revised agreement provides that a private landlord who chooses to use the agreement should accept a request from a tenant to keep pets where they are satisfied the tenant is a responsible pet owner and the pet is of a kind that is suitable in relation to the nature of the premises at which it will be kept.

“It aims to remove restrictions on responsible tenants with pets, encouraging landlords who use the agreement to offer greater flexibility in their approach to pet ownership.”

Many landlords are concerned that the new guidelines force them to accept pets, however, the new terms and conditions are voluntary.

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