Around 56% of landlords predict negative impacts on themselves due to the Renters Reform Bill’s approach to pet ownership in rental properties, revealed the latest data from Leaders Romans Group (LRG).
According to the firm’s most recent study — which surveyed 630 landlords and 595 tenants to gauge their opinions around the Renters Reform Bill and the changing legislation — pet ownership in rentals is landlords’ biggest concern, even surpassing the potential effects of abolishing section 21 evictions.
Only 10% of landlords see the proposed provisions for tenants to keep pets in rentals as likely to have a positive impact on landlords.
However, the data showed that tenants were less concerned about pet ownership — according to the data, 68% of tenants didn’t ask to keep a pet when they last moved into a new rental property.
Kim Lidbury, group director for property management at LRG, said: "The introduction of pet-friendly policies in rental agreements is a nuanced issue that requires careful consideration to balance the interests of tenants with those of landlords.
“Not all property types may be suitable for pets, for instance flats within blocks and properties without gardens.
“The third reading of the bill recently included a mandate that tenants either maintain insurance to cover potential pet damage or compensate the landlord for the reasonable cost of obtaining such insurance — this is a positive step forward which does seem to address landlords' concerns while also enhancing the lives of tenants and their pets.
“However more detail is still required to ensure that pets can only be requested in an appropriate property.”
