Tenants in England will be given the right to request pets

The bill will ensure landlords do not unreasonably deny renters the ability to have a pet in their home, giving renters a chance to challenge unfair decisions.

That’s all you need to know about the new bill.

When can landlords refuse a tenant to take a pet with them?

Landlords must examine each case individually. There are situations in which a landlord can “reasonably” refuse a request for a pet, even if the landlord in charge prohibits pets.

More guidance on when landlords can refuse pets will be released by the government before the new rules come into effect.

In the event of a disagreement, a tenant can refer their complaint to the Private Rental Sector Ombudsman or to the court, which will make the final decision based on the evidence provided by both parties.

What rights do tenants have?

If a tenant feels they have been unfairly denied a pet, they can complain to the Private Rental Ombudsman or take the case to court.

The final decision will be made based on the evidence presented by both parties.

What rights do landlords have?

If a pet causes damage to a property, insurance will cover any damage caused by changes to the Tenant Fees Act 2019.

Credit: smrm1977/Getty (Image: smrm1977/Getty)

The renter’s security deposit can also be used for damage, but the landlord should not try to reimburse the same damage twice.

In cases where neither the deposit nor the insurance cover the damage, the landlord can sue the tenant for the costs of the damage.

The government’s guidance on the new law states: “We will implement the new system in two steps and ensure that all stakeholders have sufficient time to implement the necessary changes.”

“We will announce our first implementation date at least six months in advance. After that, all new leases will be periodic and subject to the new rules, including changes to pet rentals. The date for this depends on when the bill received royal assent.

“To avoid a two-tier tenancy sector and to ensure that landlords and tenants are clear about their rights, all existing tenancies will be switched to a new system on the second implementation date. We will plan at least 12 months between the first and second appointment.”