Landlord tells City News how rent becomes higher for dog-owning tenants – regardless of Renters Rights Bill.
“Who’s gonna pay for the damage?”
A Landlord responds to being asked how he will treat the incoming Renters Rights Bill which prohibits landlords from using blanket ‘no pets’ bans on their properties, and must provide a valid, justified reason. He has refused to rent his properties to dog-owners since 1999.
Dogs Trust issued a press release statement on the Renters Rights Act’s pet-friendly clause calling this a “huge step forward” but there is “more to be done”.
They point out that “until now, tenants had no legal right to keep a pet.”
They tell us that “so far this year, around 15% of handover enquiries received by the charity cite accommodation issues”
The Renters Rights Bill was approved on 22nd October and is likely to come into force in 2026.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer spoke of the importance of the Renter’s Rights Bill as “Every family deserves the dignity of a safe and secure home.”
“When I want them [tenants that respect the property] to stay I always give a discount to market rates.”
“I would usually charge 10-15% less if you treat my property as your home”
“I will now tell people that I can’t stop you from getting a dog but I will always charge you market rate.”
“That could be an extra £150 per month”
London skyline
This anonymous landlord tells City News about his previous tenant with a secret dog that caused £6,000 damages and urine-soaked carpets.
Due to this experience, he believes the clause giving renters more right to keep pets within the Renter’s Rights Bill is unfair.
He explained why he “absolutely” does not allow pets in his rental properties. He is mainly referring to dogs here, as he clarifies that tenants are always welcome to keep a rabbit in an outdoor shed.
He has been a landlord for around 30 years in the UK and “fell into it” when he had a property he could not sell.
His reason for not wanting renters to keep dogs comes from one particularly negative experience in 1999. In his own words, he tells City News:
“Tenant had a small terrier, wasn’t that bothered, and they hadn’t sought permission. They left after 18 months. I did an inspection. It wasn’t good. Ground floor bathroom and the side panel had come off the bath during their tenancy but they said they didn’t want it repaired and actually preferred it without. I discovered they wanted it left off as the terrier used under the bath as a toilet.” [For “numbers ones and twos”]
A dog being walked at the park – this is not the dog from this story.
“During inspections the second bedroom was always off limits. It was the 15 year old daughter’s bedroom and she was in it. Fair enough I used to think, 15 year old girls need their privacy and I was happy to respect that.”
“Now I knew why.”
“During inspections that was where they hid the large dog that until they left I knew nothing about.”
“The one that chewed a door, scratched skirting boards and windowsills, and damaged the walls meaning a replaster in that room.”
“All the upstairs carpets and underlay had to be binned as they were soaked in dog urine. Floorboards were washed in neat bleach to get rid of the smell. I swore then, any dogs – then tenancy would be terminated.”
“This was in 1999. Damage cost £6,000 to repair – government were going to say tenant had to buy pet insurance to cover any damage, but they dropped that part. No such insurance is available anyway.”
£6,000 in 1999 equates to around £11.5k today considering inflation.
City News hears from ex-renter with secret dog
City News also heard from an ex-renter who kept her dog in secret in her London flat for years, while living under a ‘no pets’ policy.
“I did still have my pet but I was very careful and taking care of the flat. I think that’s important”
“There should be a reason to not allow something.” [referring to blanket pet bans]
“If it’s just a bad experience from some point in time, I think yes, all cases are different but everything should be looked at and discussed.”
Speaking about why she believes it’s important for some renters to keep pets, she tells us:
Anonymous ex-renter speaking to City News
“Pets can help mentally, they’re your friend, they take care of the house. If you live alone, they bark. They kind of protect you.”
As the new Bill gives some dog owners hope for more rental options, some landlords feel they must inevitably raise rent to accommodate for potential pet damage costs.
Submitted Article
Headline
Short Headline
Standfirst
Published Article
Headline£6,000 damages and urine-soaked carpets: why landlords raise pet-owners rent
Short HeadlineLandlord speaks out against renter's right to pets
Standfirst Landlord anonymously speaks to City News about why he is against dog-owning tenants and why the Renters Rights Bill will cause them to pay more rent.
Landlord tells City News how rent becomes higher for dog-owning tenants – regardless of Renters Rights Bill.
“Who’s gonna pay for the damage?”
A Landlord responds to being asked how he will treat the incoming Renters Rights Bill which prohibits landlords from using blanket ‘no pets’ bans on their properties, and must provide a valid, justified reason. He has refused to rent his properties to dog-owners since 1999.
Dogs Trust issued a press release statement on the Renters Rights Act’s pet-friendly clause calling this a “huge step forward” but there is “more to be done”.
They point out that “until now, tenants had no legal right to keep a pet.”
They tell us that “so far this year, around 15% of handover enquiries received by the charity cite accommodation issues”
The Renters Rights Bill was approved on 22nd October and is likely to come into force in 2026.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer spoke of the importance of the Renter’s Rights Bill as “Every family deserves the dignity of a safe and secure home.”
“When I want them [tenants that respect the property] to stay I always give a discount to market rates.”
“I would usually charge 10-15% less if you treat my property as your home”
“I will now tell people that I can’t stop you from getting a dog but I will always charge you market rate.”
“That could be an extra £150 per month”
London skyline
This anonymous landlord tells City News about his previous tenant with a secret dog that caused £6,000 damages and urine-soaked carpets.
Due to this experience, he believes the clause giving renters more right to keep pets within the Renter’s Rights Bill is unfair.
He explained why he “absolutely” does not allow pets in his rental properties. He is mainly referring to dogs here, as he clarifies that tenants are always welcome to keep a rabbit in an outdoor shed.
He has been a landlord for around 30 years in the UK and “fell into it” when he had a property he could not sell.
His reason for not wanting renters to keep dogs comes from one particularly negative experience in 1999. In his own words, he tells City News:
“Tenant had a small terrier, wasn’t that bothered, and they hadn’t sought permission. They left after 18 months. I did an inspection. It wasn’t good. Ground floor bathroom and the side panel had come off the bath during their tenancy but they said they didn’t want it repaired and actually preferred it without. I discovered they wanted it left off as the terrier used under the bath as a toilet.” [For “numbers ones and twos”]
A dog being walked at the park – this is not the dog from this story.
“During inspections the second bedroom was always off limits. It was the 15 year old daughter’s bedroom and she was in it. Fair enough I used to think, 15 year old girls need their privacy and I was happy to respect that.”
“Now I knew why.”
“During inspections that was where they hid the large dog that until they left I knew nothing about.”
“The one that chewed a door, scratched skirting boards and windowsills, and damaged the walls meaning a replaster in that room.”
“All the upstairs carpets and underlay had to be binned as they were soaked in dog urine. Floorboards were washed in neat bleach to get rid of the smell. I swore then, any dogs – then tenancy would be terminated.”
“This was in 1999. Damage cost £6,000 to repair – government were going to say tenant had to buy pet insurance to cover any damage, but they dropped that part. No such insurance is available anyway.”
£6,000 in 1999 equates to around £11.5k today considering inflation.
City News hears from ex-renter with secret dog
City News also heard from an ex-renter who kept her dog in secret in her London flat for years, while living under a ‘no pets’ policy.
“I did still have my pet but I was very careful and taking care of the flat. I think that’s important”
“There should be a reason to not allow something.” [referring to blanket pet bans]
“If it’s just a bad experience from some point in time, I think yes, all cases are different but everything should be looked at and discussed.”
Speaking about why she believes it’s important for some renters to keep pets, she tells us:
Anonymous ex-renter speaking to City News
“Pets can help mentally, they’re your friend, they take care of the house. If you live alone, they bark. They kind of protect you.”
As the new Bill gives some dog owners hope for more rental options, some landlords feel they must inevitably raise rent to accommodate for potential pet damage costs.
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