Pet charity urges public to support the Renters’ Rights Bill

Pet charity urges public to support the Renters’ Rights Bill

9:34 AM, 7th October 2024, About 2 months ago 20

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A pet charity is calling on the public to support the Renters’ Rights Bill which will bring in the right for tenants to keep pets – which landlords cannot ‘unreasonably’ refuse.

The Battersea Dogs and Cats Home believes the bill is a crucial step in ensuring that pets remain with their families, especially as the number of households renting in the UK continues to grow.

Battersea says it has seen firsthand the devastating impact of restrictive rental rules on pet owners who struggle to find a landlord who allows pets.

Pets remain with the families

The charity’s public affairs manager, Ben Parker, said: “At Battersea, we are committed to ensuring that pets remain with the families who love them.

“The measures in the Renters’ Rights Bill offers an opportunity for long-lasting change that will benefit thousands of pets and their owners.”

He adds: “We will continue to work with the government and other stakeholders to secure a future where no one is forced to surrender their pet because of where they live.”

‘Countless’ families forced to give up their pets

Battersea says that ‘countless’ families have been forced to give up their pets due to the lack of suitable accommodation, with housing issues being one of the most common causes for dogs and cats being brought to the charity’s three centres.

It points to a recent case to highlight ‘how urgent the need for reform is’.

Daisy, a three-year-old heavily pregnant Labrador, was brought to Battersea when her previous owners were forced to move and unable to find any rented accommodation that allowed pets. Despite their best efforts, they had no choice but to place Daisy in Battersea’s care.

Puppies were successfully rehomed

After giving birth to a litter of eight puppies, Daisy spent five months at Battersea’s Old Windsor centre, where she received expert care, and her puppies were successfully rehomed.

Daisy eventually found a loving new home where she will hopefully be able to remain for the rest of her life.

Battersea says her story serves as a ‘powerful reminder of why rental reform is so necessary’.

It adds that with better legislation, her previous owners, ‘like so many others, would never be faced with the heart-breaking decision to be parted from their pet because of housing restrictions’.

Renters’ Rights Bill

Mr Parker added: “The Renters’ Rights Bill has the power to stop situations like Daisy’s from happening in the future.

“Pet owners shouldn’t be forced to choose between a home and their pet, and we’re urging the public to email their MPs and show support for this legislation.

“Pets are part of the family, and the changes in this Bill offers hope to thousands of tenants across the UK.”


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Markella Mikkelsen

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10:15 AM, 7th October 2024, About 2 months ago

Don't get me wrong - I adore dogs.
But a Labrador with 8 puppies? Sorry no. And I side with every landlord that refused.

If the RRB allowed a "pet" deposit to cover any potential damage by pets, I would definitely consider pet-owning tenants.

But you have capped the deposit to 5 weeks. It's called having your cake and eating it.

Jo Westlake

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10:37 AM, 7th October 2024, About 2 months ago

Aren't animal shelters stuffed full of pets that people bought with no thought during the pandemic?
Has Battersea not thought through the entirely foreseeable consequences of increased pet ownership by people who are often short of money?
Pets are a huge responsibility and not just something that can be put away in a cupboard when people get bored with them. Vet bills and appropriate food are expensive. Cleaning up after a pet loses its novelty pretty quickly.

An existing fully trained pet belonging to an experienced owner is significantly different to an unknown, untrained animal bought on a whim by someone who has never owned a pet.

David

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10:55 AM, 7th October 2024, About 2 months ago

Reply to the comment left by Markella Mikkelsen at 07/10/2024 - 10:15
Totally agree and the Charity should be reminded of this or is this yet another organisation casting the blame mainly on landlords, which is absolutely ridiculous.
In any case many tenants will bring in pets even if landlords say no and has a good reason..

Cider Drinker

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11:16 AM, 7th October 2024, About 2 months ago

Just like over population of the U.K. (and the world, more generally), the problem isn’t landlords. It’s too many people.

Encouraging those that can’t afford to buy home to have a pet will lead to more, not fewer, pets being handed over to charities.

I have no problem with tenants having pets until they tell me that they can’t afford to pay the rent - because the dog needs routine or emergency veterinary treatments.

Reluctant Landlord

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11:23 AM, 7th October 2024, About 2 months ago

another charity that automatically assumes that the tenant has a RIGHT to have something, yet fails to make it clear that the tenant has personal responsibility for it.

"Battersea says it has seen firsthand the devastating impact of restrictive rental rules on pet owners who struggle to find a landlord who allows pets"

So tenant priority is pet first and accommodation second then....

My answer would be I would consider a pet IF the property were suitable AND if risk could be reduced by the use of a fully referenced guarantor whom I could call upon for all costs of any potential pet damage.

Funny that even when adopting a pet from a charity, they look at the suitability of the home as part of the adoption criteria, yet they are saying the LL should not do the same and have to accept any pet?

Chris @ Possession Friend

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11:51 AM, 7th October 2024, About a month ago

Reply to the comment left by Markella Mikkelsen at 07/10/2024 - 10:15
Plus, no way of ensuring the Pet policy is renewed after the first year !

Can't see that being a Mandatory ground for Possession when Sec 8 is watered-down, - revamped !

Marlena Topple

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12:25 PM, 7th October 2024, About a month ago

What about tenants that live in HMOs? HMOs are completely unsuitable for the majority of animals.

Janet Carnochan

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13:13 PM, 7th October 2024, About a month ago

Reply to the comment left by Markella Mikkelsen at 07/10/2024 - 10:15
I thought that. That's not 1 dog, that's 9 dogs. Eight of whom aren't housetrained. As a landlord I accept pets at my discretion. Not 9 even if it was just for a short period.

Cider Drinker

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15:04 PM, 7th October 2024, About a month ago

I’ve had tenants take 3 months sick leave due to ‘depressionk following the death of a dog.
Public sector worker, obviously. Full pay.

Stella

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15:04 PM, 7th October 2024, About a month ago

Reply to the comment left by Chris @ Possession Friend at 07/10/2024 - 11:51There are no pet policies that will cover pet damage they only cover vet bills and not all policies cover all vet bills.
I had a very well paid tenant (who I helped) when she had to pay £3500 of a £7000 bill because her dog had to have a hip operation and she could not afford it.
This tenant had pet insurance.
I also had another "professional" tenant who allowed their dog to wreck the property and when they moved out I found that the garden, flower pots, and large bin were full to brim of dog poop. The dog had been dead for about six months when they moved out!
The floor boards had to be replaced because of the smell of urine and we spent £thousands on a complete refurb.
I think we need a crystal ball to predict who is capable of looking after a pet!

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