Get a Valuation
    Register/Login/Report a Maintenance Issue
    LogoLogo

    Our Branches

    Barming – 01622 720000
    Bearsted – 01622 730020
    Headcorn – 01622 890089
    Larkfield – 01732 875706

    Maidstone – 01622 691255
    Snodland – 01634 240966
    West Malling – 01732 844111
    Period Homes Malling – 01732 844111

    Period Homes Weald – 01622 850888
    Lettings & Management – 01732 875777
    New Homes – 01732 221411

    Book a Valuation

    If you would like a no obligation, professional valuation on your property, please complete our valuation form and one of our appraisal team will be in touch to book an appointment.

    Book my Valuation

    Home/News/Could pets be the key to successful lets in 2023?

    Could pets be the key to successful lets in 2023?

    over 2 years ago
    Lettings
    Could pets be the key to successful lets in 2023?

    Discussing lets with pets in January is very apt. Chinese New Year falls on the 22nd of the month – traditionally celebrated by assigning one of 12 animals to another year (it’s the rabbit in 2023).

    The year ahead could be monumental for landlords and tenants. It’s widely accepted that the Government’s A Fairer Private Rented Sector white paper will be adopted before the end of 2023 – and that means renting with a pet will be made easier. 

    Reluctance to rent to pet owners

    Research indicates that private tenants are animal lovers living in a pet-reluctant rental sector. The results of a 2022 survey by the Tenancy Deposit Scheme Charitable Foundation found 38.6% of tenants had a pet in their rental property, but only 47.9% of tenants admitted to being allowed a pet as part of their tenancy agreement.

    The anti-pet sentiment is reflected on the other side of the lettings equation as well. The English Private Landlord Survey 2021 – the most recent published by the Government – found that 45% of landlords were unwilling to let to tenants with pets.

    Pets force tenants to move

    With such statistics in evidence, it comes as no surprise that renters are willing to move home in order to live with a cat or dog. The Deposit Protection Service undertook its own research on the matter of lets with pets. When questioned in 2022, 30% of renters who moved property between October 2021 and March 2022 had done so to specifically accommodate a pet. For comparison, only 7% of renters cited pets as the most significant influence over their decision to move in 2021.

    Tenants leaving one rental property in search of a pet-friendly alternative is something landlords need to consider in 2023. Finding new tenants involves time and money – check out, check in, inventories, referencing and potential void periods, so keeping happy tenants in place – perhaps even those with pets – is sensible.

    Domestic animals, damage & a different approach

    A major pet deterrent among the landlord community, however, has been damage caused by animals but it’s actually a bit of an urban myth. Steve Harriott, the CEO at the Tenancy Deposit Scheme has publicly said it doesn’t see a lot of disputes involving pets specifically.

    Persistent reluctance surrounding pets may be forcibly eradicated anyway. The adoption of A Fairer Private Rented Sector white paper will correct much of the negativity surrounding tenants with domestic animals. 

    Pet-specific details in the Government’s white paper include:-

    • Legislation that ensures ‘landlords do not unreasonably withhold consent when a tenant requests to have a pet in their home’
    • The right for tenants to challenge landlords who refuse to let with a pet
    • An amendment to the Tenant Fees Act 2019 to include pet insurance as a permitted payment, which should offset potential pet damage

    The changes detailed in the white paper are a step up from the Government’s current stance on lets with pets. In 2021, it altered its Model Tenancy Agreement to say: “landlords will no longer be able to issue blanket bans on pets. Instead, consent for pets will be the default position, and landlords will have to object in writing within 28 days of a written pet request from a tenant and provide a good reason.”

    For now, the Government’s Model Tenancy Agreement isn’t mandatory when agreeing a new let. Landlords are free to adapt what is suggested or create a bespoke tenancy agreement, which we suggest should always be done in tandem with a professional letting agent. We are monitoring the introduction of the white paper and will report any specific details that clarify whether landlords will retain the right to refuse tenants with pets. 

    Our lettings team frequently receives requests from cat and dog owners. Please get in touch if you have a pet-friendly property to list.

    Share this article

    More Articles

    More than half of under 34s hope to become a landlord

    More than half of under 34s hope to become a landlord

    Published 9 days ago

    Younger Millennials (born between 1991 and 1996) and those in Generation Z (1997-2012) still see a future in property investment. That was the surprising finding of a new survey of 2,000 UK adults conducted by Opinium on behalf of Market Financial Solutions.

    Read More
    A tenant’s guide to the Renters’ Rights Bill

    A tenant’s guide to the Renters’ Rights Bill

    Published about 1 month ago

    The Renters’ Rights Bill has taken another step towards becoming law. With no major amendments expected, it’s now that tenants should take notice of the Bill’s contents.

    Read More
    Garden etiquette for tenants this summer

    Garden etiquette for tenants this summer

    Published 2 months ago

    When you become a renter, you’re expected to behave in a ‘tenant like manner’ and that extends to outside spaces as much as inside the home. If in any doubt as to what that means, you can refer to your tenancy agreement. It should list the specific garden jobs you’re responsible for, and what your landlord should maintain. If there’s scant detail, contact us and we can obtain written clarification for you.

    Read More

    Sign up for our newsletter

    Subscribe to receive the latest property market information to your inbox, full of market knowledge and tips for your home.

    You may unsubscribe at any time. See our Privacy Policy.

    Back to Home

    Our branches 

    Barming
    Bearsted
    Headcorn
    Larkfield

      

    Maidstone
    Snodland
    West Malling
    Lettings & Management

    Period Homes Malling
    Period Homes Weald
    New Homes

    OnTheMarket
    RightMove
    SafeAgent
    ThePropertyOmbudsman
    Logo
    Logo
    Logo
    Logo
    © 2025 Simon Miller. Registered Address: 11 Colman Parade, Colman House, King Street, Maidstone, Kent, ME14 1DJ
    Privacy Policy|Terms & Conditions|Cookie Policy|Complaints Procedure|Landlord Fees|CMP Certificate
    Powered by