Nearly half of landlords welcome the government’s new Model Tenancy Agreement, which establishes the right to have a well-behaved pet in a property as a default position where it is applied, according to new research from Direct Line business insurance.
45% of landlords said they approve of the agreement, which serves as the recommended contract for use with tenants.
Currently, just 7% of landlords advertise pet-friendly properties – despite more than half of Brits owning one.
The Model Tenancy Agreement (MTA) is the government’s recommended legal template for landlords to use with tenants.
Previously, landlords using the agreement were able to issue blanket bans on pets in their properties.
Under changes announced by the Housing minister, Robert Jenrick, in January, the default position now is that responsible tenants can keep well-behaved pets in rented properties wherever the MTA is applied.
Landlords will now have to object in writing within 28 days of a written pet request from a tenant and provide a good reason for that objection.
However, while 45% of landlords said they welcome the agreement, 30% said that they would submit an objection.
‘Good news for animal-loving tenants’
Overall, tenants have responded enthusiastically, with 62% saying that they are happy with the reforms.
The research also found:
- Three in five (61%) tenants said the change will result in fewer pet owners having to give up their pets because of restrictions implemented by landlords
- Half (49%) said the change will result in fewer animals being stuck in animal trusts or rescue centres
- 35% said they already had pets, so it will make it easier to find a property in the future
Where it is applied, the new Model Tenancy Agreement should help prevent some tenants from breaking the rules.
One in six Brits who have rented a property have hidden a pet in the premises without the landlord’s consent. Younger tenants are the most likely to do this, with 25% admitting to doing so.
Commenting on the research, Jamie Chaplin, landlord business manager at Direct Line, said: “The new Model Tenancy Agreement brings good news for animal-loving tenants, with responsible owners able to keep well-behaved pets in rented properties wherever the government’s recommended legal template is in use.
“And with a majority of landlords stating that they do not intend to submit an objection under the terms of the new Model Tenancy Agreement, it looks like more pet owners can rent properties with furry friends without worrying about breaching their tenancy agreement – as long as they are well-behaved.”
Image: Robert Larsson/Unsplash
Read next: Nearly 700,000 private renters hit with no-fault eviction notices since COVID outbreak
Are you a social housing professional? Sign up for a FREE MEMBERSHIP to upload news stories, post job vacancies, and connect with colleagues on our secure social feed.
