Cat and dog allergy issues?

Cat and dog allergy issues?

10:55 AM, 19th February 2021, About 3 years ago 20

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The government have decided to allow people to have pets whether or not the landlord agrees with this: “The government has released its latest standard model tenancy agreement to cater for responsible tenants with well-behaved pets. Under the new Model Tenancy Agreement, announced by Housing Minister Rt Hon Christopher Pincher MP, 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.” Click here for the article

This rather foolish policy is going to lead to some very high bills for a landlord who is forced to have an animal like a cat or dog in their property without the tenant being in a position to clean the property or repair furniture damage after the animal leaves.

I have 2 animals in particular in mind here. Cats and dogs. Cats can damage furniture, spray a property and leave all the carpets covered in dander. Dogs can have a similar effect and can damage furniture badly.

Some tenants are extremely sensitive to cat or dog allergens. They may insist on the replacement of carpets or the redecoration of the house. This is a particular issue with cats.

Two of my tenants have asked to have a cat. I have asked them to guarantee that they will return my property to a “cat-free” standard after they leave. They suggested I use the deposit. The issue with this is that their deposit is low – 5 weeks rent thank you Tories- and comes nowhere near to replacing damaged furniture, replacing carpets or redecorating the house. Nor will the deposit pay for an allergic tenant who may arrive say a year later and then begin have these problems.

My tenants have offered to get a furniture insurance policy. This has a maximum damage level of £800. This very low compared to buying new furniture.

Has anyone here got the name of a company that can provide good insurance for pet damage?
Does anyone here charge an amount for “pet rent” to tenants?
Does anyone know a company that will clean a house after a cat or dog has left to remove all traces of allergens?

I would love to email the MP who suggested this scheme and ask them for some answers. Does anyone know who it was?

Stewart


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Comments

Chris Bradley

13:53 PM, 19th February 2021, About 3 years ago

I hate the media, as I just read an article about stopping landlords from banning pets, and I'm sure many tenants will have read the headline and the first few paragraphs, but not the small print at the end
"However, the Model Tenancy Agreement acts as a guideline, or a template and is not legally binding"

Reluctant Landlord

14:22 PM, 19th February 2021, About 3 years ago

Reply to the comment left by JB at 19/02/2021 - 12:29
I took photos of pee stains on carpet and on underlay. Was tempted to add in a video of the noise when the carpet was peeled away also, but didn't have to in the end. A mate reckoned a great idea was to buy some litmus paper and video what happens when you put it on the carpet stain...!

Ian Narbeth

17:21 PM, 19th February 2021, About 3 years ago

Reply to the comment left by Tessa Shepperson at 19/02/2021 - 11:19
Tessa thank you for your clarification which will be a relief to many landlords. In light of Jason McClean's comments landlords should be very wary of using the model tenancy unless they are feeling generous and don't mind their assets being damaged.

Gunga Din

19:33 PM, 19th February 2021, About 3 years ago

"This strikes the right balance between....."

This seems to be a popular catch-phrase when it comes to new pro-tenant legislation. Still, its a change from "..levelling the playing field...".

The Blair gov't was fond of "We should open up a conversation about...." which really ground my gears.

Stephen Buck

7:13 AM, 20th February 2021, About 3 years ago

The problem I had once was a dog that barked all day, while the tenant was out, causing a nuisance to the other residents. Hence, I no longer allow pets...

As a dog owner myself, I also feel that pets should not be allowed in flats (or houses) without a garden, so I wonder whether this has been considered in the consultation..?

SM

16:46 PM, 20th February 2021, About 3 years ago

Reply to the comment left by Jason McClean at 19/02/2021 - 10:55
Hi, can you still legally charge a tenant such a fee?

Tessa Shepperson

16:56 PM, 20th February 2021, About 3 years ago

Reply to the comment left by SM at 20/02/2021 - 16:46
I have seen insurance that covers pet damage from Endsleigh here https://www.endsleigh.co.uk/personal/lets-with-pets/ but you cannot charge the cost to tenants as a fee.

Mind you, there is nothing to stop you increasing the rent to cover it ...

SM

18:56 PM, 20th February 2021, About 3 years ago

Reply to the comment left by Tessa Shepperson at 20/02/2021 - 16:56
Thanks Tessa

Di Driscoll

19:24 PM, 20th February 2021, About 3 years ago

As a pet owner myself I know how much they can be a loved part of the family but also how destructive they can be. I have just read that BoJo and Carrie's beloved Dilyn is in trouble for soiling carpets and damaging furniture (as well as chewing on ancient books, hardly an everyday issue) at Chequers. Politicians and lawmakers should realise that for landlords to take pets without an extra deposit and cleaning clause will close the door to many renters and/or be unfair to landlords.

Mick Roberts

5:43 AM, 22nd February 2021, About 3 years ago

Reply to the comment left by Tessa Shepperson at 19/02/2021 - 11:19
Brilliant Tessa,

Thanks for clarifying that.
Nice words there to educate the tenants.

64 pages their tenancy-Wowzers.

Some of my notes on pets below if anyone wishes to use anything out of it. And don't shoot me down, I used to take ANY PETS.

I used to take any pet. Till a dog did £1000 damage to stairs. Chewed em apart. Govt made it even worse for tenants going forward. When before all they had to do was pay higher deposit which got returned if no damage. Landlord wins. Tenants that cause no damage wins. How hard is that?
Oh I see, that's too simple for Govt and Shelter UK to realise. I've heard of dogs having to be put down now cause Landlords refusing em point blank cause not allowed to charge higher deposit. How come nearly every word Landlord says will happen does happen. Please authorities work with us.
Every time u hurt the Landlord, u hurt the tenant.

From another Landlord:
Landlords: pets are okay if you pay for extra insurance to cover any damage.
Gov: in that case we will make it illegal to charge extra insurance.
LLs: well then we will have to slightly increase deposits for those with pets.
Gov: in that case we will cap deposits at 5 weeks rent.
LLs: okay well we can't really allow pets anymore then.
Gov: in that case we will force you to take tenants with pets.
LLs: well then we have no choice but to increase rent across the board even for tenants without pets.
Gov: oh.
Tenants: why is rent so high??

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