It’s estimated that more than half of the UK population owns a pet, and amongst them are renters looking for landlords to welcome their four-legged friends into a new home. For Landlords, deciding on a pet policy can be a tough decision as permitting pets in their rental property comes with a lengthy list of both positives and negatives, which is why only 7% of landlords currently advertise their property as suitable for pets. In order to find a pet-friendly home, you’ll need to be able to prove you’re a responsible pet owner and that your pet won’t cause any issues, here are some tips to help you:
Make a good but honest case for your pet
It’s important to let any potential landlords know that your pet is trained and well behaved, but you should also be upfront about any troubles your pet might run into and how you’re working to resolve them. For example, if your dog is known for barking at night, invest in training and let your landlord know you’re confident that you have the situation under control. It’s better to be honest now than run into issues later down the line, and your potential landlord will appreciate your integrity.
If a landlord is open to pets but needs a little persuading, it can help to provide them with your pet’s medical notes, detailing recent vaccinations, flea and de-worming treatments, micro-chipping and neutering confirmation. This will clarify that you’re responsible for your pet and that the animal is in good health and therefore less likely to damage the property.
You can also get a reference from any previous landlords to help your case, if they only have good things to feedback about you and your pet this will give you a little more leverage to prove you are a trustworthy tenant.
Introduce your pet
A good way to put everyone’s mind at ease is introducing your pet to your potential landlord so they can gage for themselves your pet’s personality and temperament. This gives the landlord an idea of how the pet will interact with neighbours, especially if your pet is a dog.
Don’t keep a pet without consent from your landlord
It’s never a good idea to sneak a pet into a property without your landlord’s consent. The pet can easily be discovered through property inspections or complaints from neighbours, and this breach of contract could jeopardise your tenancy as your landlord will have grounds to start an eviction process. So, all in all, it’s not worth it!
Plan early
Although your options are narrower due to having a pet, you will still need to be selective and try to find a home that fulfils your pets needs and keeps them safe. For example, if you own a cat, avoid properties near busy roads and seek out homes with cat flaps as you won’t be allowed to fit one yourself. For dog owners, make sure your new home has enough space and close enough proximity to a park so your pet can get some exercise.
Leave yourself plenty of time and start your search as early as possible so that you’re able to do thorough research and get your pet ready for presenting to potential landlords. If your pet is loved and well-looked after, a pet-friendly landlord will happily accept your application.
