Five ways to safely let with pets
With the UK being a nation renowned for its animal lovers, it's no surprise that many tenants want to own pets. However, this can often cause apprehension among landlords due to the potential damage that pets could cause to the property.
In this blog, the Tenancy Deposit Scheme aims to navigate renting to tenants with pets, offering 5 ways to help make it work.
The positives of pets in rented properties
According to the latest research conducted by Battersea Dogs and Cats Home, there are two important insights about pets in rental properties. Firstly, 76% of landlords did not encounter any damage caused by pets in their rental property. Secondly, tenants with pets tend to remain in properties longer.
This challenges common assumptions we see in the market that pets cause damage and underscores the potential benefits of pet-friendly rental policies.
Keeping an eye on the Renters Reform Bill, which aims to bolster tenants' rights and prevent landlords from "unreasonably" denying pet requests, now would be a good time to potentially look at how you could safely allow your tenants to bring a pet into the property.
Why landlords have been reluctant to allow pets
There is no denying that some pets, although not all, can cause damage to a landlord's property, which can be a concern for landlords. Common worries include stained carpets, scratch marks, damage to lawns, pet odours, pet hair, and fleas.
Additionally, landlords worry they may face deposit deductions for cleaning and damage at the end of the tenancy. However, it is worth noting that the Tenancy Deposit Scheme does not encounter many pet-related deposit disputes.
5 ways to safely let with pets
As a landlord, how can you navigate the pet situation effectively and ensure that both you and your tenants are happy? Here are 5 key ways to protect yourself, and let with a pet.
1. Find out more about the pet, or consider meeting them in person
If you are considering renting a property to a tenant with a pet, it's important to gather some information about the pet before making a decision. Ask the tenant about the breed of the pet, its shedding and hypoallergenic properties, and whether or not it has been treated for worms and fleas.
It's also important to know if the pet has been trained and neutered. If the tenant has rented with the pet before, try to obtain a reference to get an idea of the pet's behaviour.
Additionally, it's important to know how much time the pet will be spending alone in the property to ensure that it won't be home alone for extended periods.
2. Pet Clause within your tenancy agreement
When allowing pets in a rental property, it is important to include a clear pet clause in the tenancy agreement. This clause should specify the tenant's responsibilities for taking care of the pet and keeping the property in good condition. This includes details such as cleaning requirements, pest control, garden maintenance, and repairing any damages caused by the pet. It is also important to specify the number and type of pets allowed in the property to avoid any misunderstandings. A clear and specific clause will leave less room for disputes over the tenant's responsibilities and deposit deductions.
3. Start of tenancy checks
The check-in and inventory report should offer an inventory of the property's contents, along with a report on their condition at the beginning of the tenancy. It is recommended to include photographs in these reports, but they should only serve as a complement to a written report, not as a substitute. By taking and storing dated photographs along with a comprehensive check-in report, you can use them as evidence at the end of the tenancy if any damage occurs. Additionally, you might consider writing that the property smells clean and free from pet odour, should you need to address this at the end of tenancy.
4. Mid-tenancy property checks
Regular property checks can help landlords identify damage that has been caused by pets. When conducting these checks, photographs could be taken and used as evidence for any disputes that could arise at the end of a tenancy.
5. End of tenancy checks
A timely and detailed check-out report can be cross-referenced with the check-in/inventory report to highlight any changes in the property’s condition or cleanliness. For example, all items on the inventory list should be in the same condition at check-out as they were at check-in (allowing only for fair wear and tear).
Dealing with pet damage at the end of tenancy
Despite all precautions, pets may still cause damage to the property. If this happens, landlords can recover money from the tenancy deposit to cover the damage, as long as the tenant's obligations are clearly detailed in the tenancy agreement.
Renting to tenants with pets can be a complex issue for landlords. However, by maintaining open communication with tenants, outlining clear rules in the tenancy agreement, and staying informed about current legislation, landlords can ensure a harmonious and beneficial relationship with their pet-owning tenants.
Simple Deposit Protection
TDS Group is the leading tenancy deposit protection and resolution service provider in the UK making life easier for tens of thousands of agents, landlords, developers, and millions of tenants and homebuyers. We're backed by Propertymark, Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) and the NRLA.
The Tenancy Deposit Scheme not only provides deposit protection but also helps resolve any disputes that may arise at the end of the tenancy, and free mediation with TDS Resolution for any mid-tenancy disputes, such as pet disputes or breach of contract.
By joining the Tenancy Deposit Scheme, you'll unlock the ultimate toolkit with templates, tools, and our comprehensive deposit protection management dashboard.
