With around half of UK households owning at least one pet, the thorny issue of whether to let to people with pets is going to be something you come across sooner or later. Legally, you’re in a strong position as a landlord. The property is yours, and you are free to choose who you have as a tenant. It’s not discriminatory to have a policy of refusing to consider tenants with pets. There is lots to think about, and here are some of the main points to consider.
Expand Your Pool of Tenants
The main advantage to allowing tenants to keep pets is that you could potentially double the number of prospective tenants. If your property is in an area with a slow lettings market, allowing pets could minimise the time your property is sitting empty. On the other hand, if you have property in an area where tenants are fighting over a small number of properties, you can be choosier. Similarly, if you’ve already got a great tenant who is paying rent on time and looking after your property, you’d be mad to end their tenancy over a pet. You don’t have to market your property as either for pet owners or not. Putting “pets considered” in any advertisement keeps your options open and allows you to make decisions based on individual tenants and their pets.
Be Specific
It’s your right as a landlord to decide exactly what you will permit, and what you won’t. It’s perfectly reasonable to state that you will allow one cat or one dog only. Some landlords are happy to allow cats, but not dogs. Whatever you decide given the type of property, put it in writing. Many tenancy agreements have a clause about pets and you should make sure that the clause is specific enough for your needs. Make sure your tenants are aware of your policy regarding their pets. If they decide halfway through the tenancy that they want a pet, there should be a clause in your contract about letting you know.
Increased Deposits
The main concern of landlords about pets is the potential for damage to the property. This is especially the case with cats and dogs. You can hedge against this risk by asking your tenant to pay a higher deposit when they first move in. Most landlords ask for another two weeks’ rent to cover damage risks. Any deposit must, by law, be held in a registered deposit protection scheme. This includes additional fees charged for pets. If you agree to take a tenant with pets, you may also decide to inspect the property more regularly to ensure that no damage is being caused beyond the expected wear and tear. There is also the option – unless you’re a landlord in Scotland – to agree an additional fee for post-tenancy cleaning for people with pets. This could make it easier to find future tenants, if all traces of pets are removed from the property.
