United Kingdom letting agents of residential properties are being urged to speak to the landlords and get them to consider letting their properties to tenants who have pets, after a new scheme was deemed to be a success. The newly launched Dogs Trust “Lets With Pets” campaign, which has been designed to encourage letting agents to happily allow a tenant with a pet to move into a property, has turned out to be a big winner says the National Approved Letting Scheme (NALS).
‘Since the launch of the campaign the interest and support from agents and landlords looking to make properties available to pet owners has been really strong. This campaign has raised awareness of the challenge pet owner’s face and has demonstrated there is a very real opportunity for landlords and letting agents to tap into, if they take the right precautions. We are, after all, a nation of animal lovers, with more than 43% of the population owning pets,’ said Caroline Pickering, chairman of NALS.
Britain is a nation of animal lovers, but owners of pets are very often treated like second class citizens when trying to find a landlord who will accept them in a privately rented property. The dog welfare trust thinks as many as 75% of pet owners have problems when trying to find a property to rent. Landlords will say that they are unsure if their Landlord Insurance Policy covers tenants with an animal and in any case the pet could cause damage to their property and also be a nuisance to the neighbours.
Letting agent, Nicki Marshall who has the let with pets leaflets available in the shop said ‘It’s amazing how many tenants and potential landlords take these away with them. Quite often we find that landlords are initially not happy to accept pets but once we have had a conversation with them and make them aware that responsible pet owners often stay longer in their properties, they see the benefit and are happy to accept pets. We encourage a more open, trusting relationship. We also build in a minimal pet fee and have a pet policy. This all helps to create confidence for both parties”
Tenants who own pets have fewer choices when looking for a property to rent. They are also more likely to pay a higher rent and are also much more likely to renew a tenancy when the contract ends. And it seems landlords may finally be changing their attitude towards pet owners.