Demand for pets in lets up 120% post lockdown

Demand for pets in lets up 120% post lockdown

11:08 AM, 27th August 2021, About 3 years ago 1

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New statistics based on Rightmove searches shows that interest in rental properties that allow pets has increased year-on-year this July by 120%. This would correspond with anecdotal evidence that many people bought pets while they were locked down in the pandemic.

Increases in overall tenant enquiries were up by 13% showing the shift in demand towards pet friendly rental properties.

Search enquiries were also up 70% for properties with Balconies, 39% for gardens and interestingly up 48% for parking. This is likely due to people moving away from the big city centres.

Demand for rentals with all bills paid was also up by 38%

Rightmove’s, Tim Bannister, said: “The rise in pet ownership during the lockdown periods has been well documented, and we’re seeing this translate to the rental market.

“Becoming a pet owner is a long-term commitment, so what’s really interesting to consider is the impact this could have on the rental market in the future, and it’s a signal to landlords that if they were to consider allowing a well-behaved pet then it may open them up to a bigger pool of potential tenants.”

Timothy Douglas of Propertymark commented: “We recognise that renting with pets can make properties more desirable, encourage tenants to rent for longer and tackle issues such as loneliness, but policymakers must recognise the effect of the government’s decision to cap Tenancy Deposits under the Tenant Fees Act. Even the best behaved pets can have an impact on a property, therefore landlords and letting agents need to be able to safeguard against damage.

“A number of ideas including raising the deposit, pet referencing, and insurance were raised by Parliamentarians and if the government are serious about encouraging more private landlords to allow responsible tenants to keep pets in their rented properties, then they must have a greater understanding of the costs involved and implement rules that support the sector to take on greater risk.”


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Comments

Mick Roberts

9:05 AM, 28th August 2021, About 3 years ago

I'll say my notes again:

Gees, how simple was it when we could just charge higher deposit and those that did no damage got all money back. So so simple.
No better insurance than the tenants own money.
Now look what Shelter and Generation rent and the Govt have done. Made it MUCH MUCH worse for tenants yet again.
My text below I've done before.

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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