Property experts issue warning to renters over simple mistake that could get you evicted

A warning has been issued to people who rent their home
A warning has been issued to people who rent their home -Credit:PA


Renters could find themselves evicted for breaking a clause with a simple error, property experts have warned.

When moving into a rented property that doesn't allow animals, there will "most certainly" be a clause within the tenancy agreement that says you "cannot keep pets", according to Propertymark. And if you fail to get permission for the pet, this could be used as grounds for eviction.

Sharing advice about renting with pets, Propertymark, which describes itself as the "professional body for the property sector", said: "If you move into a property that doesn’t permit pets, never get a pet without your landlord’s permission.

"There will most certainly be a clause in your tenancy agreement that says you cannot keep pets, breaking this clause can be used as a ground for eviction." Since the pandemic, pet ownership and in turn renting with pets has increased, reports BirminghamLive.

In England, landlords continue to reserve the right to prevent pets from their properties, but that doesn’t mean you cannot rent with a pet, the experts added. "Remember, the reason landlords aren’t keen on having pets in their property is because of the associated risks.

"Unfortunately, bad ownership has made landlords dubious about renting to people with pets, as in the hands of the wrong owner, pets can lead to dirty conditions, lingering smells, pest infestations and neighbour complaints. Therefore, a renter's mission is to outline how they will prevent the risks by convincing the landlord they are a responsible pet owner."

As such, they advise renters wanting to live with a pet to "supply CV and references for your pet" to help with their case. "Your pet's age, breed, behaviour, training, vaccinations, flea treatments and a reference from your vet and/or previous landlord will help paint a picture of what your pet will be like in the property.

"Although this is more common for cats and dogs, other animals will benefit from a good reference which reassures the landlord too," said Propertymark. Good practice would also be to provide vet contact details, along with the contact of someone who can care for the pet in an emergency.

"You should also define as best you can when you're likely to be away from the pet during the day or night," they said. "If you can, try to introduce your pet to the landlord so they can see how they behave first-hand. The more information your landlord has, the more likely they'll accept your tenancy with a pet."

Know your rights

Landlords in England cannot request a higher tenancy deposit for renting with a pet. Deposits are capped in England since the introduction of the Tenant Fees Act in 2019, instead, landlords can charge you extra rent for having a pet. Whilst landlords can request a higher rent payment for pets, they cannot insist on a professional cleaning or de-flea treatment service at the end of your tenancy.

Professional cleaning services are a prohibited payment under the legislation. However, you must return the property in the same condition as it was at the start of the tenancy.