New pet friendly standard government tenancy agreement

10 years ago, we were asked by our agent, if we would allow a tenant couple with a dog to rent our small house. We were given significant assurances from the tenant, that they would do this and that and. . . . . to mitigate any damage etc. at no cost to us. You know!
They rented the property for 6 years, during which time we very supportive to them on a couple of occasions, due to issues they encountered outside their control.
When they left. . . . their attitude changed completely. The downstairs carpets were in a very bad state. Stained with urine all over, right through. Smelly, scratched all over, this had been covered up with rugs and air freshener during our inspections. We deducted the cost of replacement from their deposit and they hit the roof. Screeching down the phone at my wife endlessly. Telling us they had been told by a solicitor that rental carpets only had a 5 year life and they had been there for 6, so they should not be charged! Went on for months. Threatening us with court action. Vile, scary and unpleasant times. How things changed from the initial attitude!
Eventually agreed out of court settlement for 50/50 just to close the whole thing down.
Just not worth the hassle! Never again.

So this isn’t law then it only apply where a landlord uses the Government’s model tenancy agreement. So if like me (and I guess the majority of landlords) you use your own, then we can all continue to say pets not allowed if we want to.

"To ensure landlords are protected, tenants will continue to have a legal duty to repair or cover the cost of any damage to the property."

Meaningless drivel.

So if you grant a tenancy like this you have to put in sooner or later by law a provision allowing pets

But hundreds of thousands of long leases have "no pet" provisions (incl sheltered housing) or at best "pets only with consent "

Has anything been done to impose changes on those? If not then landlords of shorter let properties are being penalised in effect. And of course hundreds of thousands of people in those long term leases will need pets too.

Any views?

Reply to the comment left by Edwin Cowper at 30/01/2021 - 12:00Why on earth would you choose to grant a tenancy using the Government’s model tenancy agreement ? Just use your own and exclude pets. Simples.

Until it becomes law to accept pets, I am not doing it. I did once (when you could take a pet deposit etc), but never again.

The model tenancy agreement is meaningless and has no teeth - just don't use it.

if and when taking pets becomes law, and if I am precluded from protecting my asset through deposit or higher rent (a provision in my AST agreements), I sell my property.

Thanks again Government, for showing us all the exit.

Coming soon The Model Tenancy (Adoption) Act 2022 which will apply to all new tenancies from 1st July 2022 and existing tenancies from 1st April 2023.

Reply to the comment left by Dylan Morris at 30/01/2021 - 12:20
With respect, you have missed the point. It will be imposed on us shortly, as another commentator has said.

Reply to the comment left by David Williams at 30/01/2021 - 09:08I sympathise with you on your terrible experience but you should know that the Deposit Protection Service allow only a five year life for carpets in rented properties, so your tenants were probably basing their claims on that ruling, in which case you did well to get their agreement to 50%. Of course, we all know that, treated properly, good carpets with decent underlay will last much longer and in any case nothing excuses your tenants' behaviour.

Reply to the comment left by Old Mrs Landlord at 30/01/2021 - 16:28
'the Deposit Protection Service allow only a five year life for carpets in rented properties'

Not true;

https://www.depositprotection.com/learning-centre/disputes/common-dispute-questions/

Budget quality 3-5 years
Medium quality 5-10 years
Top quality up to 20 years