Over a quarter of tenants haven’t mentioned their pets

Over a quarter of tenants haven’t mentioned their pets

13:34 PM, 1st August 2017, About 7 years ago 21

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Pet lovers often feel they have to hide their animals from their landlords in order to secure accommodation, a new survey has found.

The research revealed that 27% of UK renters with pets DID NOT notify their landlord about their animal prior to moving in.

Half of respondents, in a survey by animalfriends.co.uk, owned a pet before their tenancy began and 13% were forced to rehome their companion.

Of the pets that were kept, one in ten people said they had to hide their banned animal before a visit from their landlord, for fear of serious repercussions.

The survey results support Mintel Lifestyle’s 2016 report that suggested urban living was a reason for the decrease in the number of dogs and cats in the UK, US and Australia.

In almost 10% of cases, according to the new data, banned animals were discovered by the landlord and tenants were met with demands such as being asked to sign a new tenancy agreement, charged a higher security deposit or forced to pay a rent hike.

The average renter was charged an additional £160 in security bonds and application fees due to the animal living within the property.

Last month, the National Landlords Association warned that new government plans to regulate the security deposit fees could force many landlords to ban pets from properties due to the increased risk of damage caused by the animal.

The survey also revealed that almost a fifth of animals had caused damage to a let property, with 12% damaging fittings and a further 6% ruining furniture.

Westley Pearson, Managing Director from AnimalFriends.co.uk commented, “It’s important to ensure that you’re able to properly look after any animals before you decide to bring one home with you and that includes making sure both you and your pet will have a place to live.

“Some dogs can live upwards of 13 years so even if you have a place to live at the moment, you need to think about what would happen should you decide to move.”

The data also uncovered that 30% of pet-owning renters don’t have any outdoor space for them to exercise.


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Comments

philip ellis

14:09 PM, 7th August 2017, About 7 years ago

That does sound nasty. I can't say I've ever notice any smells, but then, my tenants are pretty clean and tidy... so maybe their cats are as well !!!!

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