It makes sense to provide for pets if you want to increase rental income because they can help tenants feel more at home in your property.

To be sure, it is wise to consider both sides before making a decision. If guidelines aren’t followed, pets may cause damage to property or upset neighbours. However, allowing pets also draws in excellent renters who stay longer.

Achieving a functional equilibrium is crucial. Join us as we examine clever tactics derived from the most recent data and guidance from UK real estate experts.

We’ll discuss pet restrictions, screening procedures, digitizing leases using Rentila or other property management software, etc. Our aim in this article is to assist you in reaping the benefits of having pets in your rentals while averting significant inconveniences!

Benefits of Allowing Pets in Your Rental Property

Permitting pets in your rental apartment attracts several perks, including:

1. Higher demand and longer tenancies

By opening your property up to responsible pet owners, it becomes more rental-friendly, and you tap into a huge market of potential tenants. Pet owners often struggle to find suitable housing when house hunting, so they’re likely to stay in your apartment longer instead of going through the stress of a house search.

Some studies show that pet-friendly properties have lower turnover and longer tenancies. The damage caused by pets is also generally lower, with pet owners causing less damage in general compared to non-pet owners.

2. Responsible pet owners make great tenants

While some landlords worry about damage from pets, responsible owners take proper care of their animals and rental units. They understand that keeping pets is a privilege, not a right, and work hard to prevent issues.

Responsible pet owners also tend to be more responsible tenants in general. They can even provide social benefits and improved family life, as pets facilitate human connections and friendships between tenants.

3. Opportunity for higher rents

Due to high demand and limited supply, a pet-friendly property often commands higher rents. You can charge a reasonable pet deposit and rent premium to help offset any additional costs or risks while still providing pet owners with an attractive, affordable option. Any extra fees should be proportional to the specifics of the pets and property.

With a pet-friendly letting, you open yourself up to a larger pool of responsible, long-term tenants. While any rental comes with risks, the benefits of keeping good tenants and building community far outweigh the potential downsides. Regardless, you still need to understand these disadvantages; we’ve compiled the main ones below.

Potential Drawbacks of Pet-friendly Rentals

Allowing pets on your property generally gives you the advantage of charging a premium and reducing tenant turnover. However, you should be prepared for some drawbacks, including damage to your property, noise pollution, and legal liability.

1. More damage to your property

Unfortunately, pets can scratch, stain, and damage your property in ways that cost money and time to repair. Scratched doors, torn carpets, and urine odours are common issues. However, responsible pet owners generally cause less damage than their non-pet counterparts. Ensure proper background screening while renting out your property to ensure the best tenants.

2. Increased noise and allergy issues

Pet sounds like barking, meowing, or scratching can disturb neighbours and other tenants. Pet dander and allergens may also cause problems for some. Fleas and other pests that pets can carry into rentals create health hazards and require professional extermination.

You should ensure strict rules of pet control to ensure the convenience and safety of other tenants.

3. Legal liability concerns

As a landlord, you can face premise liability issues if a pet hurts someone or violates laws — pet attacks are among the most common landlord claims in a buy-to-let property. Aggressive breeds, in particular, may lead to legal trouble. It’s a good idea to screen pets, set clear rules about breeds and properly insure your properties.

Of course, for the right tenants and with proper precautions, the potential downsides of pet-friendly rentals can be managed. But as a landlord, you must go in with realistic expectations about the added responsibilities of furry four-legged tenants. Outlining clear pet policies helps the tenants understand their obligation to maintain order in the rental.

Read Also: Rental Insurance 101: Protecting Your Belongings

Allowing dogs can help UK landlords attract more potential tenants to their property. But, in order to prevent any problems later on, you also need to establish extremely explicit policies. We advise drafting a thorough leasing agreement to establish explicit guidelines about pet ownership. Tenancy agreement templates that are already filled out can be accessed through property management software.

When drafting your contract, keep the following in mind:

1. Be specific about the allowed size and type of pets

Be very specific about what you’ll allow, e.g. a maximum of two dogs under 30 kilograms each or two indoor cats. You may want to prohibit exotic animals altogether. List any breeds that are not permitted, especially those known for aggressive behaviour. Placing limits on the number and size of pets is key to avoiding damage or noise issues.

2. Collect pet deposits and fees

Requiring a larger security deposit for tenants with pets is reasonable, as it provides funds to cover any damage the animals may cause, including soiling, chewing, and scratching. You might also charge a recurring monthly pet fee to account for the increased wear and tear, but be transparent about how any such fees will be used.

3. Set comprehensive pet rules

Lay out any rules for proper pet care and management in your lease agreement. For example, requiring that cats remain indoors at all times, dogs be leashed when outside, and that the tenant promptly removes and disposes of any pet waste on the property. Prohibit pets from being left unattended for long periods, too. Requiring tenants to have their dogs trained and well-socialised is also reasonable.

4. Conduct regular inspections and rule enforcement

Conduct more frequent inspections of the unit if there are pets present to check for any damage or housekeeping issues. Be prepared to enforce the policies in your lease agreement, which may include charging fees for damage or repeated rule violations. As a last resort, you may need to terminate the tenancy if a tenant demonstrates an inability to properly care for their pets in the unit.

With clear policies and follow-through, allowing pets in your rental can be a win-win for both landlords and tenants.

Consider using a property management software for a pre-filled tenancy agreement template that you can customise to include pet rules. You can share this agreement with every tenant across your properties — all from a unified dashboard.

What Happens if Your Landlord Finds Out You Have a Pet in the UK?

Even if it’s against your lease agreement, have you been breaking the rules to keep your pet close to you? We understand; there is no greater source of happiness and unconditional affection than having a pet. But before you exhale in peace, believing that no one will discover your secret partner, think again!

We explore the dangers and repercussions of breaching the terms of your lease in the UK by hiding a pet from your landlord in this blog post. Prepare yourself for an enlightening voyage that examines possible harm to relationships and trust in addition to legal ramifications.

If you are thinking about bringing a pet into your rental property, it is important that you are aware of the provisions of your lease agreement allowing pets. When it comes to pet ownership, many landlords have severe guidelines that must be followed. Violation of these guidelines may result in major repercussions, including breaching the terms of the lease. Reading your lease agreement carefully before signing is the first step to comprehending any pet-related provisions. This will help you understand what owning a pet on the property is permitted and prohibited.

Certain landlords may have clear policies on accepting pets, while others might have limitations on particular kinds of animals. Before proceeding with any preparations to bring a pet into the rental property, it is usually important to get clarification from your landlord regarding any caveats or terms in the lease agreement. By doing this, further misunderstandings and confrontations will be avoided.

Whether there are any additional costs or deposits necessary for bringing a pet onto the property is a crucial consideration as well. Because pets can cause damage, some landlords charge a non-refundable pet fee or demand a larger security deposit. It’s critical to understand these costs in advance so that you can plan your budget.

Keeping a pet a secret from their landlord is one of the biggest errors made by renters. Even though it could appear innocent at first, if this behavior is found, it could have terrible repercussions. We’ll talk about the possible consequences in this part if you violate your lease by keeping your pet hidden from your landlord.

1. Breach of contract

The primary consequence of keeping a pet secret from your landlord is that you are breaching your lease agreement. Most rental contracts explicitly state whether or not pets are allowed on the premises and require tenants to seek permission from the landlord before bringing in any animals. By not disclosing the presence of a pet, you are violating this contractual obligation and giving your landlord grounds for legal action against you.

2. Potential eviction

If your landlord finds out that you have been hiding a pet without their consent, they may decide to evict you from the property. Eviction laws vary by location, but landlords generally have the right to terminate a tenancy if there has been a breach of contract. This means that you could be forced to move out with very little notice, potentially leaving you without a place to live.

3. Financial penalties

In addition to eviction, landlords also have the option to impose financial penalties for breaking the lease agreement. These penalties can include fines or increased rent payments for violating rules related to pets on the property. Your landlord may also require additional security deposits or fees for allowing pets in the future.

Landlords in the UK are able to insert a “no pet” condition in their rental agreement. This implies that without the landlord’s express consent, renters are not permitted to own any kind of pet. Nonetheless, some renters might decide to disobey this restriction and bring a furry buddy into their rental home covertly.

Hiding a pet from your landlord may seem innocent, but there might be major legal ramifications. Should it be discovered that you are in violation of the lease by concealing a pet, you may be subject to penalties and could even be kicked out of your rental home. This is all the information you require on the legal ramifications in the UK of keeping a pet hidden from your landlord.

1. Breaching the Lease Agreement: First and foremost, keeping a pet secret from your landlord is considered a breach of your lease agreement. Your lease is a legally binding contract between you and your landlord, and by signing it, you agree to follow all its terms and conditions. By breaking the “no pet” rule, you are essentially violating this contract.

2. Potential Fines: If your landlord finds out that you have been keeping a pet without their knowledge or permission, they have the right to impose fines on top of any other penalties outlined in your lease agreement. These fines can range from small amounts to significant sums depending on the severity of the violation.

Tips for Preparing Your Property for Pet Tenants

One of the best ways to reduce the drawbacks of renting out your property to pet owners is to have a thorough agreement. But you also want to make sure that your space is set up appropriately to house both people and animals.

Here are a few useful pointers:

1. Choose durable, easy-to-clean flooring

Expect scratches, stains, and odours when renting your new home to pet owners. Opt for hardwood, tile, or laminate floors, which can withstand wear and tear. Carpets, especially light-coloured carpets, will show damage quickly, so avoid them.

2. Secure any escape routes

Check that windows, doors, gates, and fences are securely closed off so pets cannot get loose or run away. Install screen doors or wire mesh over open windows and balconies. Make sure any holes or cracks leading outside are repaired and sealed. The last thing you want is for a tenant’s pet to go missing!

Final Words

Whether or not to allow pets in your rental property is a major choice that needs careful thought from all sides. We believe that having pets in your rental property is frequently worth the risks, even though there may be some.

There are several reasons why letting your tenants bring pets into the house can be a wise move for you and your company, including higher rent and a higher occupancy rate.