UK Government Advises Pet Insurance for Renters

UK Government Advises Pet Insurance for Renters

Anyone who owns a pet and is in the rental market knows the anxiety of finding the perfect pad that will allow your companion to come along for the ride.

Pet owners are overjoyed this week with news that the UK Government has updated a model tenancy agreement to allow tenants to keep pets by default, the news connects the Tenancy Act 2019 and The Dogs and Domestic Animals (Accommodation and Protection) Bill.

The Tenant Fees Act 2019 is proposed for amendment so that landlords can request tenant’s pets are fully insured, meaning that damage to property is likely to be covered by the pet’s insurance policy; the government considers this to be a more ‘common sense approach and strives to ensure that tenants feel like their rented accommodation is truly their home.

The Renters Reform Bill white paper details changes that will make it easier for tenants to keep their pets with them when they move to rented accommodation and to request prior to viewing that they are allowed to have pets as part of the tenancy, the white paper dictates that pet insurance will be a permitted tenant payment in this transaction.

The details in the bill that covers renter’s pets runs alongside the proposed Dogs and Domestic Animals (Accommodation and Protection) Bill, which is awaiting parliamentary approval, the later bill suggests that renters have the right to keep a domestic animal in rented or temporary accommodation, that all cats and dogs must be microchipped and introduces ‘Certificates of Responsible Animal Guardianship’.

The certificates will be issued following a responsible ownership test conducted by a registered vet, this will include:

• Suitable Vaccinations
• Microchipping for cats and dogs
• A dog’s ability to respond to basic commands
• Regular Worming and Flea Treatments

The certificate will not only give landlords peace of mind but will also ensure good levels of animal welfare for pets.

The Renters Reform bill also contains exemptions for landlords to restrict the right to keep a domestic animal in rented accommodation, this includes but is not limited to religious or medical grounds and suitability of accommodation.

Pet ownership has risen over the last few years owing to an increased amount of people working from home due to the COVID-19 pandemic, this, in turn, means that people have more time for pet ownership and the responsibilities that come with it, this, in turn, has increased demand for landlords to allow pets as part of tenancy agreements.