Andrew Gwynne, MP for Denton and Reddish, has signed a cross-party letter urging the Government to amend legislation to enable more tenants to live with pets.
The letter follows the implementation of the 2019 Tenant Fees Act, which was introduced to prevent landlords from imposing unnecessary deposits and fees. As part of the act, landlords are prohibited from requesting pet insurance from renters with pets, and from charging separate pet deposits. This aspect of the legislation has left many landlords either imposing a blanket ban on animals or increasing rent for pet owners.
Cross-party MPs are now calling on the Government to change the law so that landlords are able to request insurance and charge pet deposits. It is hoped that by doing so, landlords will be less likely to implement blanket bans.
The letter, which was orchestrated by Conservative MP Andrew Rosindell and supported by the charity AdvoCATS, has been signed by MP’s from across the political spectrum, including Green MP Caroline Lucas and Liberal Democrat Leader Ed Davey.
Only 7% of landlords currently advertise their properties as pet friendly. However, demand for animal friendly rentals has increased by 120% since summer last year.
Gwynne, who is co-chair of the All-party parliamentary group on Cats, said:
“As a proud pet parent, I’m really pleased to be backing this cross-party campaign. I know first-hand just how much joy pets bring, and the fantastic effect they have have on your mental and physical wellbeing. It doesn’t make any sense to exclude renters from these benefits.
By making this small change to the Tenant Fees Act – a change that is supported by tenants and landlords alike – we can make a real difference to renters across the country who are desperate to bring a beloved pet into their home”.
The Conservative MP Andrew Rosindell added:
“Good governments recognise and rectify errors no matter who made them. In the case of the Tenant Fees Act a good piece of legislation erred in its neglect of tenants who own pets, placing unnecessary obstacles in their way.
The question I ask the Secretary of State, Robert Jenrick, is simple: why wait any longer?”