0:02 AM, 5th December 2024, About 3 weeks ago 38
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Pets cause less financial damage than tenants, according to new research.
A report by the University of Huddersfield reveals that while pets can cause damage, the cost is more than 50% lower than the damage typically caused by tenants.
Inventory Base is calling on landlords to take in pets after research finds only 7% of rental properties are pet-friendly.
According to a survey by Inventory Base, landlords appear to be most open to pet ownership in Glasgow where 11.3% of all rentals are described as being pet-friendly. This is followed by Edinburgh (10.1%), Manchester (10%), and London (8.1%).
Meanwhile, the least pet-friendly landlords are found in Newcastle where just 2.1% of available stock is being marketed as pet-friendly.
This is followed by Nottingham (2.9%), Cardiff (2.9%), Leeds (3.2%), Leicester (3.4%), and Bristol (3.9%).
Research from the University of Huddersfield shows that pets cause an average of £300 worth of damage per tenancy, compared to £775 caused by tenants without pets.
Siân Hemming-Metcalfe, operations director at Inventory Base, says it can be financially beneficial to landlords to take on a pet due to a reduction in void periods.
According to Inventory Base, half of pet-owning tenants stay in properties for more than three years, while just 31% of those without pets stay for this long.
Ms Hemming-Metcalfe said: “While pets might seem like they could cause issues in rental properties, it’s becoming clear that their impact is often much smaller than the wear and tear from tenants themselves.
“Being a landlord is no easy task. It can be both demanding and stressful. It’s understandable why many prefer to keep pets out, reducing at least one potential worry. However, we’re finding that being pet-friendly can actually offer significant advantages for landlords.
“By welcoming pets, you not only attract a broader range of potential tenants, but you also encourage longer and more dependable tenancies.
“Pet owners are typically very mindful of their pets’ reputation for causing damage, so when it’s time to move out, they often leave the property in excellent condition to demonstrate that both they and their furry friends are responsible.”
Ms Hemming-Metcalfe adds an inventory process can help landlords manage tenancies with pet-owning tenants.
She said: “Landlords who are open to tenants with well-behaved pets can minimise most financial risks by implementing a thorough inventory process.
“The main risks of allowing pets in rental homes arise when there isn’t a solid inventory process in place at both the start and end of each tenancy.
“Conducting a detailed inventory at the beginning of a pet-friendly tenancy, as well as regular property visits throughout the tenancy, ensures that any damage caused by tenants or their pets is properly accounted for.”
The Renters’ Rights Bill will strengthen tenants’ rights to request a pet in their rental property, which the landlord must consider and cannot unreasonably refuse.
The Bill will permit landlords to require insurance coverage for pet damage.
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Stella
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Sign Up11:18 AM, 7th December 2024, About 2 weeks ago
It would be nice if some of our MP's could spend one night in a property with saturated floorboards and dog/cat faeces just so that they could truly flavour the ambiance.
I am sure that this exposure would enhance their experience of life.
NewYorkie
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Sign Up10:04 AM, 9th December 2024, About 2 weeks ago
Reply to the comment left by TheMaluka at 06/12/2024 - 10:42
They did, but not to the same standard.
SimonP
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Sign Up8:24 AM, 13th December 2024, About A week ago
Having watched this video, there is NO WAY I'll be letting animals into my rental property.
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/v4FW2hJ4yvk?feature=share
Reluctant Landlord
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Sign Up11:25 AM, 13th December 2024, About A week ago
I don't need 'encouragement'.
It's a no.
Reluctant Landlord
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Sign Up17:17 PM, 13th December 2024, About A week ago
Reply to the comment left by Binks at 06/12/2024 - 10:42not interested in any insurance cover as by default the the pet is not mine to obtain cover on.
If insurance is taken by the tenant then there is no direct access to the LL to make a claim on the policy.
hypothetically if Bonzo the dog is insured, but they then get Sid the dog without telling you, and he strips/trashes the place, is there then going to be a bloody big problem for the LL to 'prove' it was Bonzo (the insured one) and not Sid who caused the damage? Then what? Insurer wont pay out for the damage.
Insurer wont care less if the issue is a breach of AST... and the deposit wont cover it.....
Too many questions, no clarity....
Clara Skye
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Sign Up13:57 PM, 16th December 2024, About 6 days ago
Reply to the comment left by Reluctant Landlord at 13/12/2024 - 17:17
This is true; the burden of proof for a claim through the deposit protection scheme is on the landlord to prove that tenants or their pets caused damage beyond fair wear and tear. At this point, any niceties fly out of the window, and they deny any possibility that it was them or their animals that caused any damage – all our pets are housetrained, they cry, and we have never witnessed our pets weeing and pooing on the floor, how dare you suggest such a thing! Tenants justify their behaviour on the basis that it’s another case of a money-grabbing landlord trying to extort money out of poor, cash-strapped tenants so that the greedy landlord can squander their (the tenant’s) hard-earned cash sunning themselves on the Costa-del-Landlord whilst eating caviar and quaffing Champers. Having just prepared a dispute case for the TDS following the tenants raising the dispute and the hours that it has taken to try to ensure that the case is as watertight as possible, I can testify that the hourly rate for a landlord is ridiculous. What is clear is that currently, landlords are up dog/cat-shit-creek without a paddle!
Stella
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Sign Up14:37 PM, 16th December 2024, About 6 days ago
Reply to the comment left by Clara Skye at 16/12/2024 - 13:57
It is a waste of your precious time and energy with all the associated stress.
Just be pleased you have got rid of them.
The ludicrous legislation and bias that we are having to endure will backfire and unfortunately good tenants will suffer.
steve watt
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Sign Up8:32 AM, 21st December 2024, About A day ago
You still need a tenant though as pets can't pay the rent.