Unintended consequences - renters’ rights to pets

[blahdee]

So looking for a rental property and we have a cat. According to the new rules, landlords can’t refuse a pet outright, but only with “exception” can they not permit. Rather “coincidentally”, I have come across at least two potential properties where the landlords are claiming to have “severe allergies” so won’t be able to allow a tenant with a pet. Of course as a prospective tenant, I will never know if that is really true. However, I wasn’t expecting a landlord to actually live with us and we would be obliged and would of course, deep clean upon leaving a property in any event.

I feel an influx of rather convenient reasons for landlords to refuse pets incoming ..? So much for renters’ rights! Will more likely be “renters finding it even harder” more like especially with diminishing supplies.

Sorry for the rant!

I think you are right. I’m a landlord. The agent phoned me to ask if I would take a tenant with a cat. I said I thought I was now obliged to. The agent said oh don’t worry we can get around that.

Round here there are loads of people applying for each property and the landlords can be choosey, so I'm assuming they will just choose someone who doesn't have a pet even if on paper the pet owner could be a better tenant. I don't think people with pets are going to be any better off at all

Landlord or agent/tradesmen etc well
need to access the property for legitimate reasons during the tenancy so a tenant without animals will definitely be subtly selected.

Good, I’m glad landlords are pushing back. It’s disgusting that LL are now obliged, with no additional deposit to be held or a clause in a contract that obliges a deep clean. Whilst there are LL that own numerous properties many are just renting out a house they used to live in or were left that may become their home at some point.

The rules have swung too far the other way and LL will find ways around things.

See that’s the other thing, we would be more than happy to provide extra security deposit for an animal, pay for specific deep cleaning of carpets etc, but we aren’t allowed to pay the extra deposit! That is also not thought through properly in these rules.

You are right, they can be choosy.

We are also homeowners but nonetheless, as long as a tenant can pay, I wouldn’t have issue with them having a dog or cat. When we have tradespeople at our own owned property, we just explain there is a cat here and to mind doors. That can’t be a valid reason by itself .. however, you are ultimately right .. when there is a line up of tenants waiting, LL can select how they like!