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New Law Would Give People Rights To Own Pets In Rented Accommodation, But Landlords Aren’t Too Happy About It
Those who have a pet and are looking to rent a place are usually up for quite a challenge. There are lots of landlords who oppose people having pets in their homes. Therefore, many have to make a dreadful choice: either keeping your pet or your home.
Luckily, a new law proposed in the UK could give tenants the right to keep pets in their rented houses and apartments, but landlords are already not very happy about it. If the new bill gets passed, it would give pet owners the right to keep their beloved pets when moving to a rented property. However, there are concerns that the law could encourage landlords to add extra charges or even raise rent altogether for those wanting to accommodate their pets.
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A new law is being proposed in the UK, called the Dogs and Domestic Animals bill
Image credits: skorzak
Tory MP Andrew Rosindell, who is pushing for a change, said: “sadly, pet owners moving into rented accommodation face the reality that their family could be torn apart because most landlords have unnecessary bans on pet ownership.”
Last week, the member of the House of Commons for Romford has been in discussions with landlords over the Dogs and Domestic Animals bill. They explained to landlords that the new bill will not mean that tenants have an “unconditional right” to own pets in their properties.
As “most landlords have unnecessary bans on pet ownership”
Image credits: marcyleigh
He explained that anyone who wants to bring a pet into a rented property would have to pass a “responsible ownership test,” including a checklist that would be fulfilled with vaccinations, microchipping, and being responsive to basic commands. The conditions must be aimed at canines, though, as we can all testify that no cat (with a few exceptions) will answer to your commands.
If the bill’s passed, it would grant renters rights to own pets
Image credits: dfc_pcola
The proposed law has been dubbed Jasmine’s Law, after a Weimaraner dog whose family from Surrey, UK were not allowed to keep her in their rented house. MP Andrew Rosindell told the National Residential Landlords Association: “The bill will include measures to ensure that pets are suitable for the type of accommodation. The no-pet clause means someone cannot have a dog over for even a short period for fear of recriminations or losing their home. Such discrimination must now end.”
However, there are concerns landlords would charge extra for it
Image credits: andreboeni
However, a landlord Fred Cowler said while talking to The Mirror: “If it does become law, I’d want guarantees that damage and extra costs would and could be covered by the tenant.”
A second reading for the bill is scheduled for January 29, 2021, and there’s growing cross-party support for the initiative. Similar bills have been already passed in France, Belgium, Germany, and Switzerland.
People online had varied opinions
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Azure Adams 4 years ago
There should be a different rent for children. They and families who have multiple children tend to destroy things at a much greater rate and greater level of destruction than a simple dog or cat. Children are louder, needer, much more unpredictable, and generally pricier. My cat sleeps most of the day, cleans her own butt, and is litter trained. Families and children should NEVER get special treatment of privileges. It just encourages more irresponsible breeding
Tabitha L 4 years ago
I have often wished there were child-free airplane flights. But hey, now there is coronavirus. So a kid screaming and kicking my seat almost sounds fun. Almost.
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Kathryn Baylis 4 years ago (edited)
I hope this crosses the pond to the US too. We’re lucky in our rental, but if we moved we’d be in a world if s**t because we have four cats and a dog (all rescues—-one cat out of a barn, the dog off the street, one cat dumped in a neighbor’s yard, and two cats dumped in our yard—-one as a tiny five week old kitten!). Our house is clean as a whistle—-people who visit always comment on how they’d never know we had five pets because the house is tidy, in good repair, and does not smell of animals—-but I know another landlord would either turn us down or charge us out the wazoo for rent and pet deposit—-and that’s only IF we could find a friendly rental in the first place!
Joey Marlin 4 years ago
This type of legislation has already been passed in many other countries and is working well. It is to help those who lose their home but have pets so struggle to find somewhere to rent. They will need to prove themselves responsible. If they don't look after the property they'll get evicted - happens already (Covid situation aside). This isn't about serial renters who treat places badly and I've seen enough of those to know they are bigger problem by far.
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RoseTheMad 4 years ago
I hope this law passes. It's so freaking hard to find a decent house or even flat (apartment) that will allow your pets. I got really lucky with my current home with 3 cats, but for others, they're not as lucky. For many people, pets are literally a kind of therapy. And I'm not just talking about certified "therapy pets" and the like, I mean any pet.
Azure Adams 4 years ago
There should be a different rent for children. They and families who have multiple children tend to destroy things at a much greater rate and greater level of destruction than a simple dog or cat. Children are louder, needer, much more unpredictable, and generally pricier. My cat sleeps most of the day, cleans her own butt, and is litter trained. Families and children should NEVER get special treatment of privileges. It just encourages more irresponsible breeding
Tabitha L 4 years ago
I have often wished there were child-free airplane flights. But hey, now there is coronavirus. So a kid screaming and kicking my seat almost sounds fun. Almost.
Load More Replies... Kathryn Baylis 4 years ago (edited)
I hope this crosses the pond to the US too. We’re lucky in our rental, but if we moved we’d be in a world if s**t because we have four cats and a dog (all rescues—-one cat out of a barn, the dog off the street, one cat dumped in a neighbor’s yard, and two cats dumped in our yard—-one as a tiny five week old kitten!). Our house is clean as a whistle—-people who visit always comment on how they’d never know we had five pets because the house is tidy, in good repair, and does not smell of animals—-but I know another landlord would either turn us down or charge us out the wazoo for rent and pet deposit—-and that’s only IF we could find a friendly rental in the first place!
Joey Marlin 4 years ago
This type of legislation has already been passed in many other countries and is working well. It is to help those who lose their home but have pets so struggle to find somewhere to rent. They will need to prove themselves responsible. If they don't look after the property they'll get evicted - happens already (Covid situation aside). This isn't about serial renters who treat places badly and I've seen enough of those to know they are bigger problem by far.
Load More Replies... RoseTheMad 4 years ago
I hope this law passes. It's so freaking hard to find a decent house or even flat (apartment) that will allow your pets. I got really lucky with my current home with 3 cats, but for others, they're not as lucky. For many people, pets are literally a kind of therapy. And I'm not just talking about certified "therapy pets" and the like, I mean any pet.
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