Landlord Tips: Letting To Tenants With Pets
Landlords who allow tenants to keep pets could be making a wise choice!
If you’re a landlord in Plymouth, a situation you may have already encountered is making the decision to rent to tenants who have pets. Almost 60% of UK households have at least one pet, with most having dogs and cat ownership coming in just behind.
Yet, while the number of people renting privately has increased dramatically over the last few years, so many private landlords in Plymouth are still reluctant to rent their properties to pet owners.
Until recently, landlords were able to issue blanket bans on all pets except assistance dogs. However, tenants are now able to request that they are allowed to keep a pet, and the landlord must respond to the request within 28 days giving clear reasons if they decide to refuse.
Since tenants now rent properties for just over 4 years on average, with almost a quarter of them staying in one home for between 5 and 10 years and 34% staying for 10 years or more, renting has become much more about finding a home to settle down with children, pets, or both.
This means that landlords who allow tenants to keep pets could be making a wise choice since those tenants are more likely to stay for longer and take good care of the property too. With this in mind, here are four tips to make letting to tenants with pets easier and safer.
1. Meet With The Tenant And Their Pet
If a tenant wants to rent your property and bring a pet with them, you should arrange to meet with both the tenant and their pet so that you can see for yourself what kind of animal they have. You should ask how long they plan to leave their pet alone if they go out to work, particularly if they have a dog, since this may result in the pet becoming bored and barking excessively or clawing or biting items inside the home.
2. Ask For Evidence Of The Pet’s Vaccinations
It’s wise to ask for evidence that your tenant’s pet has been vaccinated and that those vaccinations have been kept up to date. You should also check that they’re receiving regular worm and flea treatments so that your property won’t fall victim to an infestation.
3. Get A Reference In Writing From Their Pet’s Vet
It’s wise to ask for a reference from the tenant’s vet in writing that will confirm that they’re a responsible owner and that their pet is properly cared for.
4. Find Out What Will Happen If The Tenant Is Away On Holiday
What will happen to the tenant’s pet when they’re away is an important question to ask.
- Will somebody be staying in the property?
- Will the pet be in a local kennel or cattery?
- Will the pet be left on their own with someone calling in to feed them?
When Plymouth Homes Lettings manage your rental property in Plymouth, we can do all the key tenant checks on your behalf. We rarely experience any problems when properties are let to tenants who own pets, and we carry out regular checks on rental properties so that we can spot any issues before they get out of hand.
If you’re thinking of renting a property to tenants with pets, contact our team today on 01752 514500 option 2 or at jacqui@plymouthhomes.co.uk. We can help make sure that the rental runs smoothly.