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 52 minutes ago 5

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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 11 minutes 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, Less than a minute 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, Less than a minute 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, Less than a minute 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, Less than a minute 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?

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