My letter to the Times – Tenants and Pets

Sir, Paul Grover (letter, Jun 17; report, Jun 16) is mistaken that landlords forced to accept pets “will require much larger deposits”.

The Tenant Fees Act 2019 prohibits deposits exceeding five weeks’ rent (or six weeks’ where the rent is £50,000 or more a year).

A landlord taking a higher deposit faces a fine of up to £5,000 on the first occasion and up to £30,000 for a second breach of the act within five years.

What is more likely is that landlords will increase rents to cover the practical certainty of increased wear and tear and the significant risk of damage rendering the property unlettable without substantial cleaning and repair.

As a result all tenants, with or without pets, will pay more as landlords are forced to take on extra risk.

To see my letter in today’s Times: https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/times-letters-reducing-the-prescription-of-a-pill-for-each-ill-8skj0gzgf and scroll down – subscription may be required.

Ian