Homeowners fork out millions to pay for pet damage

Homeowners fork out millions to pay for pet damage

0:04 AM, 22nd March 2024, About a month ago 2

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Landlords worried about tenants with pets might be interested in research about pet-loving Brits who are forking out millions on DIY repairs caused by their furry friends running amok at home.

Under the Renters (Reform) Bill, landlords won’t be able to refuse a home to a tenant with a pet without good reason.

Now, research from Novuna Personal Finance highlights the financial burden being faced by homeowners – and possibly landlords soon – due to damages caused by their pets.

More than 2,000 homeowners in the UK aged between 23 and 50 were questioned and three-quarters of them have experienced pet-related damages at home.

‘Damage caused by our unruly four-legged friends’

The firm’s director of marketing, Theresa Lindsay, said: “Despite being a nation of pet lovers, the damage caused by our unruly four-legged friends is leaving an unexpected hole in homeowners’ pockets, as well as their furnishings.

“With eye watering repair bills of over £1,000 for many households it demonstrates the lengths we’ll go to keep our furry friends happy, but also the importance of planning for unexpected costs.”

The total cost of repairs has reached a staggering £627m with dogs being identified as the primary culprits, causing damage worth more than £348m.

Damage from pet cats has resulted in repair bills amounting to £279m.

Homeowners have had to deal with soiled carpets

The study also reveals that half of all homeowners have had to deal with soiled carpets and flooring damage.

A third say they have experienced chewed furniture.

Other common pet issues that owners have faced include ripped furniture, torn curtains and electrical damage.

In response to the havoc caused by pets, nearly a third of homeowners have carried out home alterations to prevent further damage.

This equates to more than 2 million homeowners making changes to their properties to keep their pets in check.


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Comments

Reluctant Landlord

8:45 AM, 22nd March 2024, About a month ago

so this survey is based on homeowners claiming off their own insurers for damage to their property from their own pets?

Just goes to show if homeowners themselves have no chance of ensuring their own pets can behave in their own home there is no way that any landlord can adequately mitigate against their rental being damaged by a tenants pet.

If a landlord can't insist a tenant take out insurance, can't directly make a claim against it if necessary nor have any knowledge if it is ever cancelled by the tenant then the plan to 'allow tenants the right to ask for a pet' is a joke. Yes they can ask but it will ALWAYS be refused on this basis alone.

Any LL knowingly taking on any tenant with a pet, or agreeing a tenant can have with a cat or dog during the tenancy (as an example as used in the article) is going to be barking mad. Literally!

So for all the PR, and whipping up of tenants to claim their 'right to have a pet' - the reality is meaningless. Landlords can and will refuse pets and I will be one of them unless they return to a situation where the deposit cap is fully removed.

John Socha

13:29 PM, 22nd March 2024, About a month ago

The opposition's wrecking of the deposit protection legislation omitted the right to ask for extra deposits for pets and/or children.
The opposition thought that they had scored for tenants.
Only to omit two of the largest groups of additional occupiers for tenants.
This is the land of unforeseen consequencs.
This is a prime example.

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