What the end of nopet clauses means for renters

"When lockdown turned life upside down for Jordan Adams, one absence weighed on him most. Living alone in a groundfloor flat in Sutton, south London, he found himself not only cut off from friends and family, but from his dog Jasmine. "Being a single man and living on your own in your 20s at that point was really difficult," Adams says."

"From 1 May, new rules will give tenants in England's private rented sector the right to request to keep pets. The change, which is part of the Renters' Rights Act, means landlords will have to consider each request "fairly," putting an end to nopet clauses. However, the law won't apply to all tenants. And some landlords have spoken of nervousness about what happens if tenancies go wrong."

"Under the new law, landlords can only refuse a request in certain circumstances, including: Another tenant has an allergy The property is too small for a large pet or several pets The pet is illegal to own If the landlord is a leaseholder, and their freeholder does not allow pets However, a landlord cannot refuse permission because they: Do not like pets Have had previous tenants with pets who damaged the property Have general concerns about potential damage or think a pet might affect future rentals Know the tenant needs an assistance animal, such as a guide dog A tenant will need to make a request in writing, and their landlord will then have 28 days to make a decision. Each pet has to be requested separately, with landlords assessing applications on their own"

Lockdown left many renters isolated and separated from companion animals, with tenancy agreements often banning pets despite space or willingness to care for them. Fewer than one in ten rentals are advertised as pet-friendly. From 1 May, new rules under the Renters' Rights Act will allow tenants in the private rented sector to request permission to keep pets, and landlords must consider each request fairly. Landlords can refuse only for defined reasons such as allergies, insufficient space, illegal pets, or freeholder restrictions. Tenants must apply in writing and landlords have 28 days to decide; each pet requires a separate request.

Read at www.bbc.com