News

Many of UK’s Tenants are Unfairly Impacted by ‘No Pets’ Policies

A new research report from leading animal welfare charity Battersea highlights the difficulties facing tenants when it comes to pet ownership, with 50% of people struggling to find pet friendly properties.

In the UK 23% (4.3 million) of all households now rent their home from private landlords. Demand for pet-friendly rental homes appears to be at an all-time high, with 43 per cent of tenants currently owning a pet and a further 33 per cent hoping to own a pet now or in the future. These figures suggest that more than three quarters of renters are affected by landlord pet policies.

Battersea’s research found that there can be major obstacles preventing private tenants from getting a new pet or even keeping a beloved one they have had for many years. Property websites Rightmove and Zoopla confirm Battersea’s findings of a huge disparity between surge in demand and lack of options. Rightmove reports that in the last year the demand for rented properties that allow pets has increased by 120 per cent, while Zoopla found only seven per cent of landlords listed their properties as suitable for pets in 2021.

Like many people across the country, Sara’s* life was heavily impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic. A change in her financial circumstances meant that she needed to find somewhere more affordable for her and her 16-year-old cat to live in Sussex. When enquiring about properties, Sara repeatedly found conversations were shut down as soon as she mentioned having a cat, despite offering glowing references from previous landlords for both her and her pet. She finally found a flat with a landlord willing to waive the no pet policy on the condition that the other tenants and landlords did not find out as the whole building has a blanket ban on pets.

Peter Laurie, Battersea’s Chief Executive, said: “Each year rescues like Battersea take in much-loved pets from responsible owners who have had to make the heart-breaking decision to give up their companion because they have been unable to find a rental property that will allow a pet. While we will always help any animal in need, we believe that by campaigning for more pet friendly homes across the country, we will see fewer dogs and cats being brought into us and more staying