The RSPCA has welcomed the publication of a new law aimed at renters, which could help keep loving owners and their pets together.
Landlords can presently impose blanket bans on the keeping of pets in private rental properties - without providing a justifiable reason. Such bans can prevent prospective owners from adding pets to their family; and can also leave existing owners face the potentially heartbreaking prospect of having to give up an animal to access somewhere to live.
The last UK Government published model tenancy agreements that encouraged allowing pets to be the default position in England's rented sector - but they were not legally binding. Follow-up plans to legislate fell by the wayside when Parliament was dissolved before July's UK General Election.
However, the new UK Government has today brought back legislation specifically focussed on reforming the rental sector - including proposals to give tenants a legal right to request keeping a pet; and stating that such requests cannot be unreasonably refused by landlords. The RSPCA has long campaigned for the change - at a time when many of its rescue centres are "full to bursting" with rescue pets looking for suitable new homes.
Harriet Main, RSPCA Public Affairs Manager, said: "This is a potentially exciting day for many prospective pet owners in England - who have been unfairly denied the chance to own a pet purely because of living in rental accommodation.
“We also know many existing pet owners have also faced the heartbreaking prospect of having to rehome their animals to access certain accommodation - and hopefully that will soon be a thing of the past. Pets should absolutely be allowed to live with their owners in suitable, rented accommodation - unless there is a justifiable reason not to do so.
“The RSPCA hopes this new law will not only help keep loving owners and their pets together; but open up the possibility of pet ownership to millions of people living in the private rented sector. We've campaigned for this change for many years - and look forward to working with the UK Government and MPs to ensure it now becomes a reality.
"As the cost-of-living crisis continues, many of our animal centres are full to bursting with pets looking for a second chance of happiness. We know, if passed into law, countless renters will now get the chance to rehome a rescue pet, and English law will give pets the recognition they deserve - so this really is good news for animal welfare."
Landlords will be able to require tenants to get pet insurance to cover any damage to their property - which the charity had previously suggested. Harriet added: "Pet ownership is really rewarding - so having an animal will undoubtedly help facilitate happier, healthier tenants right across the country.
“Landlords requiring animal-owning tenants to have pet insurance will help provide security and encourage responsible ownership." More information on the RSPCA's campaigning work can be found on the charity’s website.
They also produce a ‘Good Practice Guide’ for the housing sector which is available online.
