Landlords are being accused by academics of under-estimating the cost of allowing pets, and under-estimating their financial benefits.
A new report commissioned by animal welfare charity Battersea and led by theUniversity of Huddersfield in collaboration with Sheffield Hallam University and Brunel University, claims there are “clear financial benefits” and dismisses so-called “myths about pets and assumed damages.”
This report claims to be the first economic cost-benefit analysis of landlords letting to tenants with dogs and cats. The data was collected from over 2,000 private landlords and over 1,000 private renters.
Findings included the average total reported cost of pet-related damage was £300 per tenancy, compared to £775 for non-pet-related damage caused by non-pet-owning tenants.
Over the course of 12 years, the total monetary benefits to landlords of letting to tenants with pets exceed any related costs. Some 76 per cent of landlords reported they did not encounter any damage caused by dogs or cats in their rental properties.
The report further shows that renters with pets tend to stay longer in their properties than those without pets, with 50 per cent of pet-owning renters staying in their previous accommodation for more than three years, compared to only 31 per cent of non-pet-owning renters. These results indicate financial and social advantages for landlords in fostering longer and more stable tenancies.
The report also claims to show that the measures contained in the draft Renters Reform Bill are vital to supporting pet owners in the private rented sector. Some 29 per cent of renters without pets said that if the legislation were passed, they would be more inclined to consider having a pet in the future.
Ben Parker, public affairs manager at Battersea, says: “This first-of-its-kind report is a great help in dispelling the myths on pets and damages in the private rental sector. Sadly, one of the most frequent reasons Battersea sees owners bringing their pets to us is a lack of pet friendly places to live.
“The Renters Reform Bill has the potential to allow more people to benefit from pet ownership, while ensuring landlords and their properties remain protected. However, although the bill passed the Committee Stage last November, it has worryingly since stalled and additional efforts are still required before the law can enable renters and pets to reside contentedly together.
“As this Bill hopefully continues to progress through Parliament, we look forward to continuing to work with the Housing department and the wider property sector to promote a more equitable rental sector for both pets and people.”
Dr Tom Simcock, lead researcher of the project at the University of Huddersfield, adds: "Our new research busts the myths about renting to pet owners. We find that renting to pet owners can be financially viable and beneficial for landlords. Pets are not a major risk, and in fact, pet owners tend to stay longer in their properties.
“Pet-owning renters are more likely to feel at home in their property, but worryingly, they are also more likely to be anxious about raising repair issues. All renters need to feel empowered about raising concerns about their property without the worry of retaliatory action. The Government must press ahead with the Renters Reform Bill and ensure this delivers for pets, renters and landlords alike.”
You can also find out more in the report here.
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Yes a constantly barking yapping dog is such a positive contribution to the welfare of neighbours left alone while it’s selfish owners are out all day
Bull****
Complete nonsense, you can't get rid of the smell without replacing everything. I don't care what the new rules may say, no dogs in my property.
And cats are worse they stink + the fleas
Andrew, I have cats and dogs. The cats are indoor cats and the only time they have had fleas is after staying at the vets. I agree dogs can smell if not looked after.
That is so right about cats and fleas - as soon as they sit somewhere where another animals with fleas has sat, they pick them up.
And it is the same with the tenants and fleas - as soon as they sit somewhere where a previous cat has sat/been, they pick them up!
Very difficult to eradicate the eggs of the fleas because they are like glue.
My cat picked them up because a visiting fox slept in his rather fancy outdoor cat bed which was right by the back door - needless to say the cat hasn't got an outdoor bed now - only my lap.
Commissioned by Battersea Dogs Home - of course it’s pro pet!
Two tenants in one bed flat redecorated ready for tenancy moved in two dogs and a cat without my knowledge. Left them in there over the weekends when they went away. Dog and cat mess everywhere. Cat died and was eaten by dogs. Left after 9 months as " flat wasn't big enough for them and "their pets".
Cost £2000 to put right. Yep. Really cost effective.
Findings included the average total reported cost of pet-related damage was £300 per tenancy, compared to £775 for non-pet-related damage caused by non-pet-owning tenants. Read carefully, so you can expect £1075 of damage from a pet owner
🤣🤣 I have had dogs eat doors, left unattended during the day and suffering separation anxiety. Who makes this stuff up ?
Ken, that has always been one of my first questions. Who will look after the dog when you are at work? As a dog lover my concern is for the dog who can suffer separation anxiety and the neighbours who will hear the dog barking, even howling. I do not to let my dogs bark too long when the doorbell goes for instance.
This article summed up in one word...
Bollox
Well, the Battersea Dogs Trust and Huddersfield Uni have just totally discredited themselves with this spectacularly unbelievable rubbish.
😂😂😂😂. So glad they put a light hearted comedy article on, after all the serious ones.
I had Tenant who cut an aperture 450mm x 450mm for dog flap in bottom panel of PVC door, a person could easily get through, now moved on and the problem is mine.
What utter bo11ocks.
And Academics came up with this nonsense did they? Oh, you mean lefties who have never had an actual job.
I bought a coach house in 2019 and let it to a couple with a dog as there's a myth that pet owners are more long term than non pet owners. They stayed 9 months.
The carpets smelt really doggy when they went and even with professional cleaning with odour neutralising cleaner still smelt awful. So I specifically tried to find another pet owner on the basis they might be nose blind. They stayed 10 months.
Again heavy duty doggy smell, more professional cleaning and really hard to re let. I finished up with a high risk tenant with a love of air freshener. He failed referencing and it clearly pushed him to the limit financially. He was actually a very good tenant but only stayed 9 months.
This time round it smelt a lot better. The current tenants have been there 2 years now and have 2 guinea pigs which live in a very elaborate cage in the second bedroom.
So far more tenant turnover than any of my other properties and far more voids. In my experience letting to dog owners is an expensive mistake even if the dog isn't actually destructive.
Pets deserve better! Has anyone considered the welfare of the pets living in our supposedly damp and mouldy properties?! Next there will be pet welfare regulations we have to adhere to.
Do Landlords have a duty of care towards tenants’ pets? Next Generation Rant will be campaigning for Landlords to take tenant’s dog for a walk if tenants are working!
I have heard, if you want to get rid of a really bad smell, use an ozone generator. You set the machine going and leave it for around 6 or so hours with the windows and door closed. It destroys the molecules that cause the smell.
Useful to know. Can this be hired?
You can buy them from ebay for around £60. It's not safe to be in the room while they are running so most have a timer to automatically switch off. Bonus, they don't cause any damage to fabrics, carpets etc.
Without asking my permission, tenants had a kitten. When they left to return to their home country after a year, there was noticable damage on carpet in the second bedroom, the door was badly scrapped, which needed to be replaced. Another set of tenants had a kitten with my permission. Very quickly major damage was done and the owner got her boyfriend to keep the kitten but major damage was done in a short time. So no pets. The government has no right to interfere in this matter. These tenants need to buy their own place first. Government or Batersea dog's home is not going to reimburse the landlord for any damages, so it is not their call to dictate to the landlords. They should provide housing to the per owners.
this is a problem a pet just appears without permission much like the single mum's morron boyfriends
Seriously?? What a load of sh*te!!!! Who writes this nonsense?
Seriously we’ll have to pull our socks up to compete with the Big Boys ?.
To Rent a new build modular Flat in the sky in Greenford outer London UB6,
£1940. for one bedroom Flat + £2350.. Deposit.or a 2 bedroom Flat £2400. pm.
You could treat yourself and buy a 2 bedroom Flat there for £499’000 and get a reward of a £5k voucher from John Lewis, on the other hand you could just rent a Studio there for £1’500.per month, no wonder they want us out.
At the end of the day it is always about money Being a landlord is a business!
of course it is, why do bus drivers drive buses if it isn't about money ?
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