Advice for Wembley Landlords on Tenants with Pets

In this three-minute read, we look at the pros and cons of letting a property to a tenant with a pet. Should tenants be allowed to keep pets in rental properties? It’s a thorny subject that is back in the spotlight after an MP called for landlords to be more flexible on the issue.

Advice for Wembley Landlords on Tenants with Pets
Conservative MP Andrew Rosindell argues that preventing tenants from being with their beloved pet companion is cruel and discriminatory.

“For most people, being separated from your dog is really no different than being separated from your brother or your sister,” he says.

Mr Rosindell has put forward a bill that would give tenants the right to live with their pet, providing that they can show they are responsible and caring.

Changing attitudes
While the bill is still some way off becoming law – it’s not clear yet whether enough MPs will back it – it does indicate a growing interest in the issue.

A study by YouGov and Mars Petcare found that two-thirds of private tenants would like to have a pet.

However, only around 7% of landlords advertise homes as suitable for pets, meaning there’s a yawning chasm between the number of renters who yearn to have a four-legged friend of their own, and properties where this is possible.

Decisions for landlords
Landlords have an ultimate say over whether pets are allowed in a property, although the Consumer Rights Act 2015 prohibits blanket pet bans. 

Instead, landlords in Wembley can include a clause in the contract requiring tenants to request permission to keep a pet. Landlords can refuse a request but need to provide a good reason for doing so.

If you receive such a request, here are a few key issues to consider.

Cons
1 Introducing a pet into a property can increase the risk of costly damage. Some landlords have horror stories about dogs digging up gardens, and cats clawing furniture and leaving carpets flea-ridden. 

2 If the property is leasehold, some leasehold agreements do not allow pets.

3 Barking dogs can upset the neighbours and be a source of ongoing dispute.
 
Pros
4 Allowing a reliable tenant to keep a pet could encourage them to stay long term, meaning you don’t have to bother finding new tenants and running more reference checks.

5 Allowing pets could make your property more marketable and therefore you can raise the rent. 

6 Rodent reduction – Cats kill rats and mice, so provide an element of pest protection.

Other points of consideration
7 Not all pets are equal. The impact of having a 90kg Great Dane living in a property differs greatly from a caged hamster or a cat. Talk in detail to your tenant about the pet they would like to have, and how they intend to look after it.

8 If the tenant owns the pet already, ask to set vet records to ensure it is vaccinated and microchipped.

9 If the tenant kept a pet at their previous property, ask for a reference from the landlord in question.

10 Make specific provision in the contract for the pet in question so that your tenant can’t take advantage of your generosity and acquire a menagerie of animals.

If you’d like more advice about dealing with tenants with pets, get in touch. Here at Grey & Co., we can provide a detailed briefing about how to stay on the right side of the law and protect your property.

Get in touch with us

First Name*
Last Name*
Your Email Address*
Mobile Phone*
Are you looking to*
Please enter message here*
Please confirm that it is okay for us to contact you about this information as well as products and services. (You will always be given the right to unsubscribe at any point in the future)*

Register for Property Alerts

Ever missed out on the perfect property just because you heard about it too late, or the Estate Agent never told you about it as it was slightly outside of your criteria? Never miss out again by using our “Heads Up Property Alerts”.

Latest Properties

Charming 3 Bedroom House with Spacious Interiors and Off Street Parking in Wembley

Guide Price

£650,000

3 Beds1 Bath2 Receptions
The Dene Wembley Middlesex HA9 7QT

3 Bedroom Semi Detached House

Off Street Parking for 2 Cars

Large Through Lounge

Spacious 2 Bedroom Flat with Off Street Parking in Wembley - Perfect for Families or Investors

Guide Price

£380,000

2 Beds1 Bath1 Reception
Scarle Road, Wembley, Greater London, HA0 4SR

Off street parking - highly sort after this close to Ealing Road

Electrics checked in 2021 - valid until 2026

Good condition throughout - full refurb in 2016

2 bedroom apartment boasting a private roof terrace with stunning panoramic views on Popes

Guide Price

£590,000

2 Beds2 Baths1 Reception
Abelard Place Popes Lane South Ealing London W5 4BZ

Striking and Contemporary 2 Bedroom Apartment on Popes Lane in South Ealing

Built in 2015 in a striking small luxury mixed development of 3 houses and 2 apartments

Private roof terrace with motorised roof access providing 360 degree views of West London

Meet Abigail

  Hello, my name is Abigail, and I am the Grey in Grey & Co. I started working here in 2002 as a Junior Negotiator and have worked my way up the ranks since then. I took over running the company in 2014 and have been enjoying the roller coaster that is leadership ever since.   During my 20 plus years at Grey & Co I have dealt with the sale of over £100,000,000 worth of property and overseen the management of assets worth £250,000,000 for clients around the world.   I also had the pleasure of working with my father, the founder of Grey & Co, for 15 years before he sadly passed away and from him, I learnt the work hard ethic and our values today are still the ones that he founded the company on all those years ago.   Be Remarkable, Be Passionate, Be Humble and Be Better.   As a community centric boutique family agency, you couldn’t find a better partner to take with you on your property journey.

Meet All The Team

The Psychology of Successful Tenancies

How can you encourage tenants to settle long-term in your rental? A report compiled by consumer psychologists claims to have the answers.

January 2025 Property Market Update

Let's look at what's happening in the property market at the end of January 2025. And ask, is now a good time to buy or sell?

Cryptocurrency: Can You Use It When Buying or Selling?

Cryptocurrencies are said to be the currencies of the future. Here we’ll ask can you (and should you) buy or sell property using crypto?