The Renters’ Rights Bill  - A tenants right to keep a Pet … Will a Landlord be able to say no?!

The Renters’ Rights Bill - A tenants right to keep a Pet … Will a Landlord be able to say no?!

The Renters’ Rights Bill contains some major reforms that will impact landlords, tenants, and agents in the Private Rented Sector. What will the implications be on tenants wanting to keep a pet in a rented property?

The Renters Rights Bill and Pets 🐕🐈
A tenant may keep a pet in a rented property if they ask to do so in accordance with the terms in the bill and the landlord consents. Such consent is not to be unreasonably refused by the landlord; and must be made in writing within a specific time scale (currently on or before the 28th day after the date of the request). ⏳✍️

A landlord can request further information from the tenant about the pet. If the tenant does not provide that information, the landlord is not required to give or refuse consent. ❓

Where keeping the pet would require the landlord to obtain the consent of a superior landlord (i.e., a leaseholder), the landlord may delay giving or refusing consent. Timescales apply. 🕰️

The tenant’s request:
- Must be in writing 📝
- Include a description of the pet for which consent is sought. 🐾

Reasonable grounds for a landlord to refuse consent may include:
- The pet being kept at the property would cause the landlord to be in breach of an agreement with a superior landlord ⚖️
- An agreement between the landlord and a superior landlord prohibits the keeping of a pet at the property without consent of the superior landlord 🚫🐕

- The landlord has taken reasonable steps to obtain consent but the superior landlord has not given it.

Indemnity and insurance for pets in Assured tenancies 🛡️
The landlord can request the following as a condition of their consent to keep a pet:

- The tenant has insurance that covers the risk of pet damage to a reasonable level 🐾💰

Or

- That the tenant pay the landlord’s reasonable costs of having insurance that covers the risk of pet damage. 💵

The Tenant Fees Act 2019 will be amended to reflect the cost of the above to be permitted payments. 🔄
 
Summary ✨
The RRB will ensure landlords do not unreasonably withhold consent when a tenant requests a pet. 🐕✅ A condition of consent to keep a pet is that the tenant obtains insurance to cover any damage. 🏠💼 If a request to keep a pet is declined, the tenant has the right to refer the case to the new PRS Ombudsman for review. 📞⚖️

If you would like more information, the full bill can be found here. 🔗


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The Renters’ Rights Bill is the biggest shake-up of the private rented sector since 1988. Introduced to Parliament in September 2024, it’s expected to become law by summer 2025 and take effect between October and January.