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Can you keep pets in rented accommodations in the UK? What should you do if your landlord increases the rent for having pets?

 

When renting a property in the UK, some students, like a friend of Ten Rise Meow, may be studying in the UK for three or more years. For example, this friend started with a foundation course, then pursued a bachelor's degree, followed by a master's degree, and now is planning to pursue a Ph.D. Unable to resist the desire to have a little kitten, they decided to adopt one. However, after getting the pet, they realized there might be an issue: Can you keep cats in rental properties in the UK?

 

So this friend took a look at the tenancy agreement they had signed and suddenly noticed a clause stating that keeping pets requires the landlord's permission. The written words were clear and vivid. They asked other classmates who own pets, but none of them were aware of this situation. That's when this friend thought of reaching out to Ten Rise Meow, who is known as the all-knowing expert on everything related to the UK.

 

Without delay, Ten Rise Meow assured their friend that they would help but with one condition: Find a suitable match for them. The friend understood the deal and immediately sent a cute video of the little kitten. However, Ten Rise Meow got so captivated by the adorable kitten that they completely forgot about the matchmaking request. It seems they lost sight of the bigger picture due to a small distraction. 

Haha, just kidding! Let's get back on track.

Here's the translation:

 

The situation with the friend is as follows: They signed a 1-year tenancy agreement for the rental property in January, and it is now September. The little kitten has already moved into the house this month. After reviewing the contract, the friend discovered that it explicitly states that keeping pets requires the landlord's consent. So, the friend contacted the landlord, who agreed to allow the cat in the house but proposed an increase in rent. The monthly rent, which was initially over £1200, would be increased to £1500 starting from September. Otherwise, the friend was told to remove the cat from the premises. This sudden increase amounts to £300, considering it starts from September. In other words, the rent would be increased by £1500 for five months. Wow, that's quite a significant amount!

 

If, in the future, the friend's little kitten becomes an overweight and highly destructive cat that damages the rented property or the landlord's furniture, or if it causes significant dirtiness and unpleasant odors, then it would be reasonable for the friend to compensate the landlord at a fair price. However, arbitrarily increasing the pet-related rent is unjustifiable.

 

According to the regulations introduced by the UK government on January 28, 2021, regarding tenants keeping pets, landlords cannot outrightly prohibit tenants from having pets. Granting permission for tenants to keep pets is considered the default stance. In other words, if a landlord rents out a property to a tenant, it includes the provision allowing them to have pets.

 

There is only one circumstance in which a landlord can refuse a tenant's request to keep pets. The landlord must have substantial grounds to reject the request, and they must provide written notice of their opposition, along with valid reasons, within 28 days of the tenant's request to keep pets.

So, it is evident that the friend's landlord agreed to the friend's request to have a cat but requested an increase in rent. Therefore, it is clear that the rented property does not meet the requirement for the landlord to provide valid written reasons for refusing pets. Hence, the landlord's rent increase is unreasonable, and there is no justification for evicting the friend's pet or asking the friend to move out of the property.

 

Upon hearing this from Ten Rise Meow, the friend became very excited and immediately sent an email to the landlord. The next day, the landlord agreed that the friend could have pets without increasing the rent, but with the condition that the property and its internal facilities remain undamaged and maintained in good sanitary condition.

 

With the issue resolved, the friend was extremely happy and praised Ten Rise Meow repeatedly. They expressed their intention to treat Ten Rise Meow, the great expert, to a meal when they return to their home country. They also mentioned that they would personally bring their little kitten to express gratitude to Ten Rise Meow. Therefore, in September 2021, Ten Rise Meow once again successfully helped an adorable little kitten. Ten Rise Meow is truly amazing!