Charity demands stronger protections for renters with pets in Scotland

A charity is urging the public to write to Scottish MSPs demanding more stronger protections for tenants with pets.

Dogs Trust has welcomed the news of the Scottish Housing Bill passing stage two of scrutiny by a cross-party committee of MSPs.

However, the charity is urging MSPs to go further and support amendments to the bill to better protect tenants with pets.

No one should have to choose between a place to live and their pet

According to Dogs Trust, around 15% of handover enquiries received by the charity cite accommodation issues as the reason for needing to rehome their dog in Scotland.

The charity claims “no one should have to choose between a place to live and their pet” and is calling on the Scottish government to implement stronger protections.

Under the Scottish Housing Bill, tenants in both the private rented sector and social housing will have the right to request to keep a pet in their property, and a landlord cannot unreasonably refuse their request.

Alongside calling for a reduction in the number of days in which a landlord must respond to a request, currently set at 42 days under the bill, the charity is calling for the amendment to go even further.

Dogs Trust demands a protection that if a landlord fails to respond to a tenant’s request to keep a pet within the response period, it can be treated as an unreasonable refusal, which would allow a tenant to appeal.

Culture shift in attitudes towards renting with pets

Owen Sharp, chief executive of Dogs Trust, says: “The Housing (Scotland) Bill is a huge step forward in addressing the need for greater availability of pet-friendly accommodation in Scotland.

“Sadly, the struggle to find suitable accommodation is still very real for many dog owners. Too often, people face the heartbreaking decision to give up their beloved pet simply because they can’t find a home that allows dogs.

“We hope MSPs will support amendments to strengthen the bill and that once passed, the bill will mark the start of a culture shift in attitudes towards renting with pets, meaning no one is denied the joys of dog ownership simply because they rent a home.”

The charity admits more clear guidance is needed in the bill, particularly around key terms such as what constitutes ‘reasonable’ grounds for a landlord to deny a request, and what are ‘reasonable’ conditions for tenants to meet when keeping a pet.