How to make the most of the post-lockdown boom in pet ownership

At the start of 2020, the government announced plans to update model tenancy contracts, to remove restrictions on well-behaved pets. This was intended to make it easier for landlords and letting agents to offer tenants the chance to keep pets. Fast-forward to mid-2020 and we’re still in the middle of a pandemic. Lockdown meant that many people started working from home, with so many people taking the opportunity to get a new pet that the UK is now facing a puppy shortage. It's no wonder, then, that searches for homes allowing pets rose by 109% during lockdown.

Assuming your landlord has the right to welcome pets into their property, as a freehold or leasehold ownership may restrict this, allowing pets is still their decision - but these stats show that now is the time to revisit the option, to benefit from how attractive this makes their property to rent.

The potential of pets

You can reach a huge pool of potential tenants if your landlord accepts pets. Surveys show that only 7% of landlords advertise their homes as suitable for pets, while 40% of UK households own pets. You’ll have a unique selling point over competing agents in the local market and you’ll find tenants for your landlord’s property more easily.

It’s a safe bet that the tenant will stay for longer too. The proportion of landlords in the area that accept pets will be small, and so tenants will be more likely to stick around. Even when a tenant leaves, you’ll have plenty of potential tenants waiting to take their place, to keep your landlord’s void period short and your landlord happy.

Welcoming pets

You and your landlord can assess each tenant on their pets’ suitability. You’ll need to find out about the day to day. For example, will the tenant be at home during the day? What was the previous landlord’s experience of the pet and owner? Are they likely to disturb the neighbours with noise? Is anyone allergic - either the landlord or the other tenants? Is it a young animal or an older, well-trained pet?

You’ll need to add pet clauses to the tenancy agreement, from the type and size of animal to the name of a specific pet, and you should have a detailed inventory list to go through on move-in day. You or your landlord should see the pet in advance and you can also ask to see veterinary records, to make sure the pet is up to date on injections and flea free. 

Financial cover and pets

Even the best laid plans go wrong; the pet may still damage the property. Although there’s nothing legally stopping landlords charging more rent to pet owners, you’ll still need to disclose these premiums under the Consumer Protection Regulation Act of 2008, and make sure they’re clearly outlined in any advertising for the property.

Insurance will further protect your landlord and reassure them if they choose to allow pets - and you can even benefit financially if they take up a policy that you offer. Tenants’ contents and liability insurance would help cover the tenants and landlord’s possessions, and any damage to the property by the pet, while your landlords should check that their building and contents insurance covers, and allows, pets.