Landlords lock pets out of the buy to let boom

Landlords lock pets out of the buy to let boom

9:31 AM, 28th July 2011, About 14 years ago 4

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"Pets are not in the buy to let boom"

Pets are suffering from a raw deal in the buy to let boom as landlords refuse to allow them to move in with their owners.

Letting agents and landlords are experiencing record rents and swarms of tenants chasing fewer properties as the number of homes for rent dries up.

The huge increase in tenants seeking private homes to rent is a direct result of mortgage lenders reining in borrowing, especially to first time buyers.

But many landlords refuse to let tenants take in their pets as well due to concerns about damage and mess to a property.

While the law means tenants can keep chickens and rabbits regardless of a landlord’s wishes, other pets are not so lucky.

The Battersea Dogs and Cats Home, London, has cared for almost 400 pets left by their owners who could not take them on to their new rented homes in the past 18 months. The charity expects the numbers to grow and for the animals to wait longer for a new home as many who would like a pet are not allowed to keep them by their landlords.

The charity is pressing for landlords to give tenants with pets more leeway.

Many social housing landlords let tenants keep pets if they have asked for permission. Wandsworth Council in London insists pets are electronically tagged so they can be returned home if they escape.

Landlords who do not mind tenants keeping pets can advertise on the web site Pet Friendly Rentals, that lists homes for rent and holiday lets for pet owners.

Landlords in the US, especially in upmarket New York apartment blocks, insist pet owners provide pet DNA to the block manager for comparison against any pet droppings found in the vicinity.

Owners of offending pets face fines and eviction if their pets foul the neighbourhood.

Mark Alexander, founder of property118.com thinks very differently to most landlords and actually targets pet owners. Mark sees pet owning tenants as a niche that provides higher rents and longer term tenants.  Read more about this strategy HERE


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1:22 AM, 5th August 2011, About 14 years ago

I can understand it is a niche market and in many cases a tenant with a pet will probably be a good long term investment. BUT unfortunately I have had to many cases of bad neighbours with pets and experience of looking at places after a pet owner has left.

David Main

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10:45 AM, 5th August 2011, About 14 years ago

I have always made it clear that I have no objection to pets. In my experience the vast majority of owners take their responsibilities seriously and the small risk of having to deal with pet damage on vacating is outweighed by the benefits of quickly filling a void and a longer than average stay.

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12:20 PM, 6th August 2011, About 14 years ago

I think the problem is linked to the rising standards demanded of the properties on the market - increasingly tenants demand carpets, curtains, white goods etc - curtains and carpets can be easiliy damaged by pets -in social housing where pets are allowed, tenants have to provide their own carpets and curtains - there is also the risk of neighbourhood nuisance which increases the private landlords need to manage the tenancy - something which social landlords do but private landlords may not want.

JOANNE CHAPMAN

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8:10 AM, 7th August 2011, About 14 years ago

I never dismiss tenants with pets. Approximately 80% of families own a pet so in refusing to take them you are closing the door to a lot of the rental market. I always get references from their previous 2 landlords and ask for a 50% higher deposit than I would normally. I speak to neighbours at my rental properties and ask them to contact me directly if they have a problem with my tenants pets. I also make it clear to the tenant that if I recieve complaints their tenancy will be terminated after 6 months. Maybe I've been lucky but I've never had any problems.

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