Landlords will ‘need inventories’ if tenants can legally keep pets

The important bit is the "cannot reasonably refuse". Like statistics can we worked around the problem.

Leaseholders will have more chance if block freeholder(s) have a no pet policy.

Tenants taking out insurance cannot be relied on to pay the premiums. One thought the premium is taken out in landlord and tenants names jointly and severally. At least the landlord will know if it hasn't got paid as will be approached by the insurer. Needs working into the tenancy agreement that the premiums are the responsibility of the tenant and non payment will be treated as a breach of the tenancy (and possibly an arrear??)

Even without pets proper inventories with photos and video evidence need to be carried out at the start of the tenancy. And regular landlord inspections, quarterly??

I wont be needing an inventory to keep a track of pet damage specifically.

Tenants may have the legal right to ASK, I have the right to refuse. I will supply a reasonable response as to refuse

end of.

Reply to the comment left by Judith Wordsworth at 19/07/2023 - 10:10
Re freeholder prohibition, it isn't that leaseholders have "more of a chance", for government to abrogate that, the freeholder would face "derogation of grant" claims from potentially all leaseholders, as many freeholders are, ultimately, some our wealthiest aristos I could understand the exemption.

if you have joint property owners and one says no for instance to pets then that's one reasonable excuse even if it is your husband/wife/other

A landlord friend of mine allowed the tenant to bring a dog into the house. He was very agreeable to this, not long after the tenant was asking for replacement carpets he couldn’t think why until later discovered the dog had a litter of 9 puppies.

My understanding is the the Superior Landlord (Freeholder) will fall into the new legislation. Thus compelling lease holders to accept pets.

My agent's tenancy agreements have a watertight clause on pets. Touch wood, I have not had an issue with pets, all have been well behaved and the property well-kept. The one exception the tenant willingly agreed to make good the damage. Inventory is a must, also rigorous referencing. Why would a landlord need to be told to get an inventory? A given I think regardless of whether there are pets

I have been a private tenant for over 20 years and can understand the concerns a landlord would have about tenants having pets, as some people would not care if their pet caused damaged to the property which isn't fair to the property owner.
I have a 12 year old cat and I would never let her cause damage and therefore would be happy for the landlord to inspect the property every 6 months to put their mind at rest.
If the a tenant causes damage or pet related damage, surly this would be covered by the deposit and additional insurance would not be necessary.
If after house inspections there is visible damage to the property of any kind, the tenant should get a warning and if not repaired and better care taken of the property the tenant should be served notice as breech of contract.
Just my feedback as a loyal long term tenant that can see both sides of argument.

I thought landlords did a inventory already?
we have rented 3 private propertys all of which had an inventory, even the one which was unfinished, mentioned about the bathroom and cooker in the kitchen, we also had a fridge freezer, as the landlord, didn't want to move it as it was too heavy.
If I was a landlord, I would would ask what size dog they had? A lot of people tend to buy dogs which look cute as puppies, but grow into big dogs, I would quizz them about, how often they walk it, what happens when they are at work. A responsible pet owner will not mind answering these questions. I would maybe look at seeing if you can limt the amount of pets, so you could say 1 large dog, 2 small dogs. As you don't want 3 medium size dogs, in a 2 bed end terrace. Or if they have a large dog and are looking at a flat, that it's fair on the animal. To be stuck in a small flat.
You could ask the RSPCA, about living conditions, then if a tenant says its there right to have a big dog in a small flat, you could point out that the RSPCA, doesn't think that is a good living space for that size of dog. They inspect people's homes before they re-home dogs.

Reply to the comment left by Emma Manchester at 20/07/2023 - 07:27
Exactly my thoughts. I had rabbits but I would always find unfurnished flats and flats with a room with no carpet. But then, I would cover that room in a waterproof cover and two layers of carpet. They were toilet trained and would only wee in their litter tray. They are prey animals and they also like to keep themselves clean

All the landlords I've had have said it's like I didn't have a pet in the property and return the place cleaner than the previous tenant (I won't leave a speck of dust!!)