Rent Homes with Your Pets – Pros and Cons?

Pets are great company for adults and children at home. They can improve your physical and mental health and keep you company at home. We have all spent more time at home in the last year, and many of us might be feeling a bit lonely.

In the pandemic, relationships dwindled, and it became increasingly challenging to achieve human connection. As a result, over three million animals were purchased in 2020 as people craved company at home. 

However, there are also millions of renters in the UK as people cannot afford to purchase properties in city centers. It's a well-known fact that pets and landlords often do not mix. Tiny city apartments offer little outdoor space and animals can be destructive. Tenants should get content insurance to protect their belongings from any damage. 

Pet policies for rentals

New government regulations mean landlords can no longer automatically ban tenants from having animals. Tenants can file a pet request, and the landlord will have to object in writing within 28 days.

They also need to offer a valid reason for the objection, such as property size or practicality. A high-rise flat with no outdoor space might not be an appropriate home for a large dog. 

UK Housing Minister, Christopher Pincher, said: “It can't be right that only a tiny fraction of landlords advertise pet friendly properties and in some cases people have had to give up their beloved furry babies in order to find somewhere to live.”

Only 7% of landlords currently advertise pet-friendly homes. Tenants with animals struggle to find a property and risk being evicted if they sneak an animal inside.  

“Such short little lives our pets have to spend with us, and they spend most of it waiting for us to come home each day. It is amazing how much love and laughter they bring into our lives and even how much closer we become with each other because of them.”

-John Grogan

So, what are the pros of having a pet?

A pet can keep you company while you are at home, especially for remote workers. Pets can lower your stress levels and reduce anxiety. Studies have found the pet owners have lower blood pressure, cholesterol, and triglyceride levels than non-pet owners.

Dogs also encourage us to get outside and keep fit throughout the year. A dog needs to be walked every day, even when you don't feel like it. 

“Dogs don’t make judgments about physical appearance or abilities, and they don’t care how big your house is or what you do for a living. They care about the quality of your character and your capacity to love.”

-Elizabeth Eiler

But there are also cons of having pets in rental houses

With rental prices increasing across the UK, many tenants can't afford to have a pet. Most of their income is spent on rent, bills, and taxes. Pet prices have drastically increased in the last year, especially for dog breeds in high demand.

Tenants could opt for a rescue dog instead to save money. However, rescue dogs are also more likely to be destructive towards your property and may cause issues with landlords. 

Owning a pet in a rental is a tricky topic that requires a lot of research and consideration. Good luck!

Should landlords allow dogs in rental properties?