Renters Reform Bill

Pets are part of the family too – are you ready for renters reform?

We're supporting the Renters Reform Bill to:

 

Make it easier for tenants with pets to rent a home by ensuring landlords can’t unreasonably say no when a tenant requests to keep a pet. No family should be separated and have to choose between a roof over their head and a loved fur family member.

Increase the number of homes available to responsible pet owners and help relieve the strain on animal rescue centres. We’re in a ‘perfect storm’ and pets are suffering in this crisis, together we can help.

We recognise that pet ownership can be a challenging issue for tenants and landlords alike, and with an estimated 13m dogs and 12m cats1 living in the UK, finding suitable long-term accommodation for both humans and their pets requires thought, collaboration and an open mind.

Concerns are well documented on both sides. Those in need of rented accommodation can find themselves in a position where they have to give up their pets to take a property with a ‘no pets’ clause, and those who aspire to own a pet in the future are unable to pursue their dream.  On the flip side, 85% of landlords confirmed they had experienced some form pet related damage. 6

The Government White Paper on the Renters Reform Bill announced in June 2022 could offer a glimmer of hope.  For all new rental tenancies, the bill will ensure landlords cannot unreasonably turn down a tenant’s request to keep pets.  Equally, to alleviate landlord concerns, the Government is looking at the possibility of using insurance products to mitigate against the costs of potential pet damage.

 

Why do things need to change?

Rescue centres are over capacity

The COVID pet purchase boom, followed by a sharp rise in the cost of living created the “perfect storm”- a heart-breaking crisis of pet abandonment.  Animal rescue centres that we have been speaking to throughout the UK are typically over capacity with pets struggling to find new homes.

With 4.6 million households currently classed as rented accommodation2, only 7% of rental properties actively advertised as suitable for pets in 20213. As things stand, a massive 45% of landlords are unwilling to rent out their property to tenants with pets.3 The implementation of the Renters Reform Bill could open the door to a wave of potential new pet parents becoming eligible to rehome an animal in need, which sadly today there are many in need of our help.

We want to help increase the number of homes available to responsible pet owners and in turn this can help relieve the strain on our amazing animal rescue centres across the UK.

Mental and physical wellbeing

There is also increasing evidence that owning a dog or cat can benefit a person’s physical and mental wellbeing, meaning that sharing your life with a pet could help tackle issues such as loneliness and isolation, and improve mental wellbeing.

How are we helping?

While the Renters Reform Bill aims to make it easier for tenants with pets to rent a home, much more detail is needed on exactly how this will work.

The Government has announced they want to introduce the Bill before May 2023 but, dependent on the implementation, there is a real concern that this will not fully become law before 2024. For responsible pet owners and rescue centres, this will be too late.

We at Animal Friends Insurance urge the new Government to act fast and progress the Bill to introduce legislation as a matter of urgency.  No person should have to choose between a decent roof over their head or keeping their pet – a loved member of the family.

If you also feel passionately about this reform you can reach out to your local MP.

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