Councils encouraged to allow pets in temporary accommodation

The government has claimed councils should allow pets in temporary accommodation where it is suitable.

In a parliamentary written answer, Labour peer Baroness Taylor of Stevenage encouraged councils to consider allowing elderly people to keep their pets while living in temporary accommodation.

The move comes as the Renters’ Rights Act gives private renters the right to request a pet, with landlords unable to refuse unreasonably.

Allow pets where possible

In a written parliamentary question, Labour peer Lord Bird asked: “What assessment have the government made of the impact that a lack of pet-friendly emergency and temporary accommodation has on levels of rough sleeping.”

In response, Baroness Taylor of Stevenage explains that while some temporary accommodation may not suit pets, councils are encouraged to allow them where possible.

She said: “Local authorities must ensure that temporary accommodation is suitable for applicants and members of their household, taking account of their needs, requirements, circumstances and the location of the accommodation. Applicants may ask for a review on request of the housing authority’s decision that the accommodation offered to them is suitable.

“The statutory Homelessness Code of Guidance encourages housing authorities to be sensitive to the importance of pets to applicants, particularly people sleeping rough and elderly people who may rely on pets for companionship and to give careful consideration to this aspect when making provision for applicants who wish to retain their pet.

“Local authorities do their upmost to try and accommodate this, however not all types of temporary or emergency accommodation are suitable for pets, as there may be limited facilities and space available.”

Importance of pets

She adds: “Recognising the importance of pets, the Renters’ Rights Act introduced an implied term into private sector assured tenancies, that enables tenants to ask the landlord for permission to keep a pet, and when they do so consent cannot be unreasonably refused.

“No specific assessment has been made of the impact on mental health and wellbeing when people experiencing homelessness are separated from a companion animal in order to have access to accommodation, or the impact that pet policies have on levels of rough sleeping.”

Under the Renters’ Rights Act, PRS landlords must consider each pet request on a case-by-case basis.

Once the tenant has submitted their request, the landlord has 28 days to respond in writing. If a landlord does not respond within 28 days, the tenant will then be able to apply to the court.

Landlords may ask the tenant for additional information about the pet if necessary, for example, details about the pet’s size. If the landlord requests further information, they must do so within the initial 28-day period, and the tenant must reply.

Once the tenant responds, the landlord then has seven days to provide their final decision.