Landlords who allow tenants to keep pets could be making a wise choice!
If you’re a landlord in Peterborough, a situation you may have already encountered is making the decision to rent to tenants who have pets. Almost 60% of UK households have at least one pet, with most having dogs and cat ownership coming in just behind.
Yet, while the number of people renting privately has increased dramatically over the last few years, so many private landlords in Peterborough are still reluctant to rent their properties to pet owners.
Until recently, landlords were able to issue blanket bans on all pets except assistance dogs. However, tenants are now able to request that they are allowed to keep a pet, and the landlord must respond to the request within 28 days giving clear reasons if they decide to refuse.
Since tenants now rent properties for just over 4 years on average, with almost a quarter of them staying in one home for between 5 and 10 years and 34% staying for 10 years or more, renting has become much more about finding a home to settle down with children, pets, or both.
This means that landlords who allow tenants to keep pets could be making a wise choice since those tenants are more likely to stay for longer and take good care of the property too. With this in mind, here are four tips to make letting to tenants with pets easier and safer.
- Meet With The Tenant And Their Pet
If a tenant wants to rent your property and bring a pet with them, you should arrange to meet with both the tenant and their pet so that you can see for yourself what kind of animal they have. You should ask how long they plan to leave their pet alone if they go out to work, particularly if they have a dog, since this may result in the pet becoming bored and barking excessively or clawing or biting items inside the home.
- Ask For Evidence Of The Pet’s Vaccinations
It’s wise to ask for evidence that your tenant’s pet has been vaccinated and that those vaccinations have been kept up to date. You should also check that they’re receiving regular worm and flea treatments so that your property won’t fall victim to an infestation.
- Get A Reference In Writing From Their Pet’s Vet
It’s wise to ask for a reference from the tenant’s vet in writing that will confirm that they’re a responsible owner and that their pet is properly cared for.
- Find Out What Will Happen If The Tenant Is Away On Holiday
What will happen to the tenant’s pet when they’re away is an important question to ask.
- Will somebody be staying in the property?
- Will the pet be in a local kennel or cattery?
- Will the pet be left on their own with someone calling in to feed them?
You need to be aware of the arrangements in case there’s an emergency, and you have to take action to ensure the pet is safe.
When Just Lets manage your rental property in Peterborough, we can do all the key tenant checks on your behalf. We rarely experience any problems when properties are let to tenants who own pets, and we carry out regular checks on rental properties so that we can spot any issues before they get out of hand.
If you’re thinking of renting a property to tenants with pets, contact our team today on
Just Lets – Here to Help
If you are a landlord in or around Peterborough, and you need assistance in managing your rental property, we can help. We know these are challenging times for landlords, but there is a significant demand for rental property. When you need guidance in the local market, contact Just Lets Peterborough today, and we will be happy to help you.
The team at Just Lets Peterborough continue to operate remotely to ensure we can continue to serve you and your tenants throughout this covid period and beyond. Please contact us through our usual channels – email us at peterborough@justlets.com or call us today on 01733 346255
