Government changes to rental reforms a dog's dinner

Planned changes to the Renters’ Rights Bill will mean landlords will be required to shoulder the risk of damage to properties by pets.

Amendments proposed by the Government will reverse plans to enable landlords to require tenants to have suitable insurance to cover potential damage by pets. It comes as the House of Lords prepares to debate the Bill at Report stage next week. 

The changes come despite the Housing Secretary having previously argued that enabling landlords to request tenants have insurance would mean “no one is left unfairly out of pocket.”  

Whilst landlords will no longer be able to require tenants with pets to have suitable insurance, there will remain a presumption that they will accept tenants with pets, unless there is a good reason not to.  Ultimately it will be for the courts, and the planned Ombudsman for the private rented sector, to rule on these matters.

The NRLA warns this move will make it far harder for tenants with pets to access rental housing. 

Ben Beadle, Chief Executive of the National Residential Landlords Association, said:

“This is a shoddy and outrageous way to make law. Ministers keep talking about how the Bill works for responsible landlords and yet they seem incapable of speaking to those representing them. 

“Yet again the Government simply expects responsible landlords to shoulder even greater risks without any consultation about the likely impact. 

“It comes on top of plans which allow tenants to build higher levels of rent arrears, expect landlords to shoulder the cost of delays to an already sclerotic courts system, and make it harder for tenants with poor or no credit ratings to demonstrate their ability to sustain a tenancy. 

“Whilst the Government might say that they are fighting their corner it is tenants who will lose out as landlords become more risk averse.” 

-ENDS-
 
Notes:

•    At Second Reading debate of the Renters’ Rights Bill in the House of Commons in October the Housing Secretary, Angela Rayner MP, told MPs: “Finally, I want to mention pets. It is a shame the Speaker is not here, because this was my bit for him! Our reforms are aimed squarely at improving the lives of people and families, but I trust that right hon. and hon. Members will agree that pets are not just animals but family. That is why this Bill will make it easier for tenants to request the ability to have a pet in their home. It will also allow landlords to require insurance covering pet damage, so that everyone is covered and no one is left unfairly out of pocket.”

•    Further information about the NRLA can be found at www.nrla.org.uk.  It posts on X @NRLAssociation.

•    The NRLA’s press office can be contacted by emailing [email protected] or by calling 0300 131 6363.