Pets in rentals campaigners meet housing minister
A report found that just seven per cent of landlords advertise their properties as pet-friendly.
Plans to make renting with pets ‘easier and fairer for all’ moved a step closer in December, as campaigners met with housing minister Eddie Hughes to discuss changes to the Tenant Fees Act.
The meeting held at the Department for Levelling Up Housing & Communities (DLUHC) was attended by MP Andrew Rosindell and Jen Berezai, co-founder of AdvoCATSeastmids.
Campaigners wish to have Parliament amend the Tenant Fees Act 2019 to enable landlords to either stipulate pet damage insurance is provided, or charge a separate capped pet deposit to avoid the devastating impact of “no pets” clauses.
Mr Hughes was presented with findings of the recent Heads for Tails report and campaign, which found that just seven per cent of landlords advertise their properties as pet-friendly, and that many tenants have to surrender their pets because their landlord won't accept them.
He was also presented with contributions from several animal welfare charities and organisations, including Battersea, Cats Protection, NOAH, NRLA and the Property Redress Scheme.
Jen Berezai said the overall scale of the problem appeared to resonate with Mr Hughes, who pledged to look further into the issues.
“It’s baby steps, but being invited to attend a meeting in person with Minister Eddie Hughes was an excellent opportunity to lay out our case. The door to the DLUHC is open, and we’re talking - that’s definite progress.”
Andrew Rosindell added: “[The meeting] was a positive step in the campaign to make it easier to bring pets into rented accommodation. As the Minister showed in the constructive way in which the meeting progressed, the Government is taking this matter seriously and is genuinely listening to proposals to remedy the situation.”
Two independent vets have launched a podcast to help owners strengthen their bond with pets. Dr Maggie Roberts and Dr Vanessa Howie, who have worked in both veterinary practice and major charities, are keen to use their experience to enable people to give pets a better life.
