With the UK Government promising to introduce the proposed Renters’ Reform Bill during the current parliamentary session, Mars Petcare, Battersea Dogs & Cats Home and broadcaster, animal lover and landlord Zara McDermott, have joined forces to raise awareness of the challenges that tenants and landlords face when it comes to renting and letting properties with pets.
Latest news from Mars Petcare and Battersea.
Together, Mars Petcare and Battersea are calling on the UK Government to ensure that the Bill is introduced with key provisions to make it easier for tenants to rent with their pets.
Demand for pet-friendly rented properties increased by 120% in 20211, but just 7% of private landlords advertise pet friendly properties2. New research commissioned by Mars Petcare has revealed that over a third (34%) of people say having an animal has caused problems for them when finding somewhere to live. What’s more, this is having an impact on animal shelters, with around one in 10 animals being brought to Battersea as a result of prohibitive rental agreements, or a lack of pet-friendly rental properties.
The new study commissioned by Mars Petcare also shows that pet owners are going to extremes to avoid being forced to move out of their home, or for fear of having to give their pet up. Research revealed that one in 10 pet-owning tenants are currently ‘hiding’ an animal from a landlord, with a further 25% having done so in the past. Of those caught out by a landlord, sadly 22% were evicted from their homes.
The Government has taken some steps to make it easier for tenants to have pets in rental properties, but awareness of the rights of a pet owner remains low. In January 2021, the Government made revisions to the Model Tenancy Agreement, encouraging landlords to no longer issue blanket bans on pets without ‘good reason’. However, polling revealed that only 12% of landlords had heard of the Government’s Model Tenancy Agreement and were actively using it1.
Mars Petcare is calling all pet owners, animal lovers and everyone who believes in a fair renting system to stand together to ensure the Renters’ Reform Bill is brought before parliament in 2023, with provisions for making rental properties more pet-friendly. To raise awareness of the issue, and to highlight the benefits of pet ownership - both for tenants, and for landlords - Mars Petcare and Battersea have published The Petiquette Guide to Rentals and Pet Ownership, ensuring renters and landlords have the information they need to ensure owners and pets can live together in harmony, whether they own their home or not.
Paolo Rigamonti, General Manager of Mars Petcare UK, said: “Responsible pet owners shouldn’t be denied the right to experience the joy and benefits of pet ownership just because they rent, but the current legislation and lack of clarity unfairly impacts renters. We also know just how severe the stress of living with uncertainty is for pet owning tenants and - with tenancy restrictions directly contributing to pet abandonment - it’s clear change needs to happen. Equally, we know some landlords have understandable concerns, but many recognise the numerous benefits of renting to tenants with pets. Our Petiquette Guide is a fantastic resource for landlords and tenants: arming them with the information they need in one place, and helping to ensure that no pets or renters have to face unimaginable consequences of overly-restrictive tenancy agreements.”
Improving pet tenancy is not only beneficial to renters, but landlords too. Aside from offering landlords access to more potential tenants, pet owners are more willing to cover extra costs and fulfil extra conditions to keep their pets at their properties. From committing to longer term agreements (48%) to more regular inspections (53%) and paying for additional cleans (41%). 2
Essex-based Landlord Dominic Payne de Cramilly, said: “I’ve been a landlord for a quarter of a century and have had far more issues with humans causing damage in my properties than I’ve ever had with pets. The idea of all pets being destructive is a massive misconception, and there’s definitely some myth-busting to be done amongst the landlord community.”
In partnership with Battersea, Mars Petcare is encouraging the public to get clued up with The Petiquette Guide to Rentals and Pet Ownership – a digital guide containing all the information people need to know when it comes to renting with pets. They are also encouraging people to show their support for the Renters’ Reform Bill, by signing Battersea’s pledge for Pet Friendly Properties HERE and sharing a link to the pledge on social with the hashtag #Petfriendlyproperties
1 https://bdch.org.uk/files/Battersea-Pet-Friendly-Properties-Full-Report.pdf
2 https://www.timeout.com/london/news/good-news-for-those-of-you-who-want-to-rent-with-a-pet-061722