To think that the renters reform bill is going to kill people with allergies?

[Petallergysufferer]

Just that really. I know many people will see this as a good thing. I know too that the severity of allergy to pets which means they can kill you is rare. But it does happen. I am that severely allergic. So if landlords can't give a blanket ban then there are no pet-free properties for me to move into.

For those who don't know - antihistamines make no difference and the only way to get all allergens out of the place is to remove all soft furnishings including carpets and underlay. Deep cleaning things does not work. So unless the landlords change all carpets, curtains, sofas etc. in between tenants, then it still has enough allergens to trigger a life-threatening reaction. For me that reaction is asthma and I already see a hospital specialist so there is no further treatment that can be offered. Avoiding allergens is the key advice. I'm really worried that the full implications have not been thought through.

A bit torn on what to vote on this: on the one hand - yes it might kill someone; on the other - oh well.

I still think this will be down to each landlord. My landlord didnt want pets so I offered pet rent. Some places pets are not allowed because of the lease.

I've many friends that do not have pets. I'm sure you could find homes that have not had pets in them.

Message to Ginghamstarfish

Please DO NOT RENT out your property us renters do not want landlords who have this attitude.

Please sell........to a family

You own the capital--
When you rent out your property it is the tenants HOME.

That is what they are paying for a HOME.

For their own private enjoyment

You are not running a hotel

It is not the MINORITY of tenants--- it is one of the top things that annoy tenants.

It is an extremely popular policy!!!

Don't be ridiculous there will not be lawsuits about allergies--- seriously you are not suited to being a landlord.......

I can't find a single example of a pet allergy killing someone.

If someone did have such a severe allergy, they'd be aware of the issue with the property at viewing and free to choose another.

I can't imagine if someone did have such a severe allergy, that they would rent furnished properties with carpets anyway, as those things are bad for such allergies even if there isn't a pet involved.

Landlords are not as yet obligated to provide properties that meet the needs of every single health condition or disability in existance.

Try renting a wheelchair accessible property.

YABU but I can see why you're worried, particularly as newspapers/media don't always give the full story behind the headlines.

Unfortunately you can't insist on a world that doesn't contain animals. As PPs have said, a lot of rental places have laminate floors (much easier for LLs to maintain and doesn't have obvious wear and tear like carpet does), many are unfurnished etc.

I can't believe people have this attitude. No one is forced to let out a property they own. No-one is forced to be a landlord. If you want to rent out a house you own then you need to act like a professional property investor - take emotion out of it and have a long term business plan.

Obviously sometime landlords want or need to sell, but the general rule should be that it is long term - you're going to be renting it out for 5 or 10 years - or decades.

It is acting like a “professional property investor” to not want to rent out your property to people with pets though? People with pets = more damage and smell = more cost to the landlord = less profit.

People need a home, not simply to have a roof over their head provided by an investor.
This is a good policy.
Landlords are running a business. That comes with some challenges like any business. You don't like the laws, then sell up.

@GCRich People have that attitude because at heart it is about making as much money as possible while spending as little as possible on the house. It is about greed, that is all.

The message that said it will kill someone is talking pure hyperbole..

So the OP has such a severe allergy that she could die (extremely, extremely unlikely) if she lived in a house that once had pets living in it.

51% UK adults own a pet.....

1. At the moment the place could already have had pets- lots of tenants omit this- as otherwise they would be homeless. Most buy pets after they have signed the tenancy lived their a few years and either omitted or landlord has allowed( as not wanting to lose tenant). It is only when moving that pets get most tricky.
2. If this is such a danger -why doesn't this apply to people selling their homes?
3. She would have the same issue with council properties
4. Surely her only option she would be to move somewhere with wood/laminate flooring and pay for a deep clean for piece of mind.

On one hand, I totally understand. My DS has anaphylaxis as a response to many animals kept as pets. He’s okay with dogs, thank goodness. (Like a lot of people allergic to animals, he loves them and vice-versa.) We are not in uk, but rent and have a dog. There appears to be an unwritten rule that is bordering on some kind of fear of discrimination that means that landlords aren’t comfortable staying what their boundaries are re:- pets. Currently we have an illicit bloody goldfish rescue (I need to grow a spine) and a large dog. If we needed to move, trying to find a landlord who is comfortable defining their boundaries regarding pets is virtually impossible. If we were to move, we would have to apply for a bajillion different houses, be refused, and then it would affect our credit rating.

I agree this is hyperbole. If your allergy is so severe that you could never buy or rent a property a pet has lived in, then you are already very restricted when choosing a home.

I'm a LL; 2 of our leasehold houses have a "no pets" clause in the leasehold, presumably because the freehold owner did not want to deal with cat/dog poo. I still had a tenant lie about it, then move in with 2 dogs, prompting howls of rage from the other leaseholders, who had chosen the development for similar reasons to the OP. We had to remove the tenant and the dogs (and pay a fine, plus the clean-up cost a fortune).

TBH I suspect it makes little difference in practice. There are always more applicants than tenancies and sadly it's those prospective tenants with kids and animals who always find it more difficult to secure a rental home.

I'm surprised this is what the current govt. comes up with when they have so many other problems!!

I would just request to only view properties where previous tennants didn't have pets because of my allergies. There will be plenty. Just because it may be easier for renters to have pets, doesn't mean everyone renting will go out and adopt a dog. Pets are expensive and I had neither the time or spare income for them whilst I was renting.

1422 people died of asthma in the UK in 2018. These attacks will have had some triggers. For many this will not be animal allergies but you're living in a bubble if you can't believe animal allergies can kill people.

Very unusual to have a house that have leasehold "no pets" though.

If you mentioned to the tenant before moving in-you cannot have pets as the leasehold says no- rather than a blanket ban no reason given--

He may of thought about neighbours reaction.

I still think the leasehold rule in a house is unreasonable- different case in some (not most) flats.....

Anyway the rule meant you had to evict a tenant--- which made him and his dogs(which in all likelihood had to be put in a dogs home). Caused him considerable cost and stress as well as for yourself for this rule......

52% of UK adults own pets- a blanket ban is unworkable.

Families with pets generally make excellent tenants as we do not complain- take our responsibilities seriously- always pay rent---happy to do minor decorations ourselves, want to live in unfurnished properties, really care about our references. And will stay in the property a very long time. We make good neighbours and get involved in our communities.

The same as most home owners actually.......

You could >>>. realise that this may be triggering- apologies >>>>>Try to spend time with animals- stroke them (managed) etc.. as the more you expose yourself the better your chance to reduce sever allergic reaction.
(It is true that if you grow up in spending time with animals you will not grow up to have extreme allergies to animals

What a stupid and dangerous thing to say. Why comment or something you are obviously completely unknowledgeable about. I grew up with animals and had severe asthma attacks regularly until drs said this cant continue.

As the vast majority of those deaths are caused by pollution from traffic vechiles - shall we ban renters driving?

This x 1000. And not just because of the new rules about pets. It's a shit time to be a landlord, but an excellent time to sell a house.

Yes sorry this was a red herring weak argument- I'm really not suggesting you get a pet- I don't know your allergy but the main points are correct---

Are you going to ban all pet ownership?

Or move into a New build?

Why are only renters responsible for your allergy when the same would apply to a house rented by the council or you were going to Buy?

52% of the UK own a pet.

Good- we need professional landlords. We need the amateurs to leave the market and allow families to buy their properties

ShirleyPhallus

It is acting like a “professional property investor” to not want to rent out your property to people with pets though? People with pets = more damage and smell = more cost to the landlord = less profit.

(1) You can take a deposit to protect against damage.

(2) Any tenant could turn out to be malicious and do much more damage than any pet could

(3) You might get a slightly higher rent if you allow pets

I am of the view that you need to balance the rights of landlords and tenants. The balance is too far in favour of landlords at the moment. Being a landlord is a business and it should be treated as such - impersonally. Tenant's rights to safe and secure homes (ie places where they can feel at home, not places where they are being micro-managed by a landlord) is essential.

100%

I have to say, I’m sorry that your allergies are so severe but it is a tiny minority of people this will affect whereas pet ownership is on the rise and has remarkable benefits for humans.

I truly believe that if landlords wish to take the rent money they must allow tenant the right to live in the home.

I have always rented (nearly 20 years) and have always been lucky to be allowed pets and do what is needed during and after the tenancy has ended. I not see the fascination of home ownership myself but I do expect to be able to actually LIVE in a home I am paying £1500 a month for!