Renting With Pets – What Are The Rules For Landlords And Tenants?
Locating a rental that satisfies all of your needs may be challenging even in the best of circumstances; however, for those who are wanting to relocate with their animal companions in mind, it can often feel as though they have undertaken an impossible task. In spite of the fact that renting with dogs, cats or other animals can be challenging at times, there are a few recommendations that renters should comply with in order to find a home that’s right for you and ensure you a smooth and successful relocation, and we’ll go over those recommendations in today’s article.
Also, we offer some guidance for private landlords who are considering allowing tenants to keep pets as well as reasons for why those who aren’t might want to change their minds. There is something for everyone here, no matter which side of the rental fence you are on.
Why landlords might not like tenants renting with pets?
Let’s face it! If we put ourselves in the shoes of a landlord, it wouldn’t take much for us to understand why they would want to implement a general ban on pets, especially if they don’t have any pets of their own. The investment they are making in the house they are renting to tenants is a significant one.
Landlords may find pets in their home to be a problem. Inappropriate or badly behaved pets creating damage to their property, irritating neighbours, flea infestations, and emitting awful odours are just a few of the reasons why not allowing pets appears to be the appropriate thing to do. Simply said, the expense and trouble ensuring the property is covered for this don’t seem to be worth it.
The issue with blanket bans on pets is that they are, by their very nature, indiscriminate. Even if it requires a little more work, landlords would be considerably better off handling each tenant and their pets individually rather than refuse pets by default.
Landlords who allow renters with pets are in high demand
To find a landlord who will accept pets is in extremely high demand, made much more so now that the lockdown has elevated dog or domestic animal ownership in the UK to a whole new level. More and more people are looking to bring new pets into their lives. This strengthens the case for doing individual assessments to identify if a potential tenant is a responsible pet owner and therefore likely has a responsible pet too!
In other words, landlords that are open to having pet friendly properties will attract a lot more tenants. Also, this maybe means landlords will be able to demand higher rents as a result.
Pet owners can be an excellent tenant as well
It’s also important to keep in mind that people who live with pet animals often make excellent tenants. It’s likely that they’ll be kind, polite, and all-around happier people if they can responsibly care for their pets.
Due to the difficulty in finding pet-friendly landlords and the potential of having to give up their beloved pets, landlords often learn that tenants owning a pet are also far more inclined to renew their leases than those who do not. They’ll also take better care of the property since they don’t want to provide a good reason for their landlord to look somewhere else for new renters.
Tips for landlords considering letting pets in their rental properties
If the above has grabbed your interest as a landlord, read our blogs for more information on how to manage pets while keeping the negative consequences to a minimum. We can help you with everything you need to know.
Advice for tenants seeking a new rental who have pets
Now that the landlord is out of the way, what about those tenants who are seeking a new place to live with their furry friends? What advice do we have for them? Actually, a lot!
Let’s get started.
Begin your search as soon as possible
As you may have realised by now, renting with a pet can be difficult to say the least. Excellent pet-friendly rentals are hard to find.
Your selection options will be restricted, and you might also have pet-specific requirements that must be satisfied. The selection is further restricted by factors like dog owners’ needs for a garden or convenient access to green spaces.
It will be easier for you to make the best choice and avoid settling for less than you deserve if you start looking for your new house as soon as possible. Allowing enough time to seek the ideal house will reduce your stress. You’ll be happy you did it.
Contact your letting agency about the issue
Finding a pet-friendly property can be made much easier by choosing a letting agent like Western Lettings Glasgow. It may be rare to see landlords advertise that they would allow pets in rental properties. We want to make it easier for tenants to keep a pet in a rental and help people find a home that’s perfect for them. We’re in a perfect position to deal with negotiations between tenants with pets and landlords who, on the surface, don’t want to rent to people with pets.
The “No Pets Allowed” rule is usually required by landlords, but an effective letting agent may assist you to defend your case and explain why allowing a renter with a pet may be advantageous. A good letting agent will be able to present a strong case for your requests to have a pet, so always ask. The landlord may or may not agree to a pet request.
Create a pet CV
Pet CVs can be a great way to show responsible pet ownership and relieve a landlord’s concerns.
A Pet CV often includes information about vaccinations, flea and worm treatments, a microchip number, pet insurance, and any other information relevant to your pet’s health and safety in general. Obviously, it will also include important contact data, including yours, the veterinarian’s, and who to call in case of an emergency.
Oh, and don’t forget to include a super adorable photo as well!
Provide testimonials from other landlords
Naturally, this falls under the “when possible” category, but if you are currently renting it will be really useful if you can provide recommendations for your pet from your current or prior landlords.
Many landlords will be confused over whether or not to allow pets, torn between wanting to protect their investment and feeling as though they should. If you include pet testimonials then this simple detail is often enough for people to approve of you keeping your pets in their properties.
Schedule a time to bring your pet to the landlord
If negotiations are progressing well and you can see your potential landlord in person with your well-behaved pet, do so. It’s the perfect chance to ease their concerns.
In order to relieve any doubts or concerns your landlord may have about letting their property to you and your pet, Dogs Trust actually advises inviting them to visit your current residence. This will allow them to observe how you and your pet coexist and will help them feel more at ease and feel like their house will not come to any harm if they permit pets.
Ensure that the tenancy agreement has been updated
Last but not least, make sure you get written confirmation before moving in with your favourite furry friend, provided everything goes as planned. The best approach to accomplish this is to update your tenancy agreement to reflect the fact that you and your landlord have reached an agreement giving tenants the right to the keeping of a pet in the rental.
The tenant must be aware of their obligations as well…and stick to them. Many landlords will accept pets, but only if certain conditions are met, such as keeping the property odour and scuff free. The obligations should be specified in the new model tenancy agreement, allowing the tenant to have a pet while ensuring landlords’ properties are safeguarded against inappropriate actions or behaviour causing damage to the property.
Always get permission before keeping a pet
Before we wrap up our blog on renting with pets, we must emphasise the importance of getting permission to keep pets in rental housing. You may believe that you can get away without it, but the reverse is almost always true, and that is a disaster.
Nobody wants to give up their pets or to be evicted from the property due to failing to disclose a pet to a landlord who has made it clear that you are not permitted to have one. In most cases, if you are honest with your landlord, they will treat you fairly. Don’t get a pet without the permission to keep pets in a rented property being in place.
Searching for a place to rent in Glasgow or the neighbourhood but uncertain of whom to ask for advice? Visit Western Lettings Glasgow today! Our award winning, straight-forward, professional, and friendly team will be happy to help you. Call us if you want to learn more.
