New Law In The UK Would Allow People To Keep Pets In Rented Apartments, But Landlords Don't Seem To Like It
Renting with a pet can already feel like a battle, and in the UK, that fight may be getting a lot more attention. A proposed new law would make it easier for tenants to keep their animals in rented homes, which has sparked pushback from landlords who worry about the costs and the risks.
The Dogs and Domestic Animals Bill would let people move in with pets, but it would not give current renters a free pass to adopt one later. That detail has become a major sticking point, especially with concerns that landlords could respond by raising rents or adding extra charges.
Now the debate is getting louder, and the next move could decide how pet-friendly renting really becomes.
A new law proposed in the UK is called the Dogs and Domestic Animals Bill
Andrew Rosindell, who is advocating for the new law, stated: “Sadly, pet owners moving into rented accommodation face the reality that their families could be torn apart because most landlords have unnecessary bans on pet ownership.”
Recently, the members of the House of Commons for Romford have been discussing the Dogs and Domestic Animals Bill with landlords.
Since “most landlords have unnecessary bans on pet ownership”
He clarified that anyone who wants to bring a pet into a rented apartment would have to take and pass a “responsible ownership test.” This test will include a checklist that contains a vaccination record, a microchipping record, and responsiveness to basic commands. The last requirement is intended for dogs, as cats aren’t as adept at following orders.
That’s where the proposal starts to get more specific.
If the bill’s passed, it would allow renters to keep their pets
The bill has been nicknamed Jasmine’s Law, after a dog whose owners from Surrey, UK, were not allowed to keep her in their rented home. MP Andrew Rosindell said to the National Residential Landlords Association:
“The bill will include measures to ensure that pets are suitable for the type of accommodation. The no-pet clause means someone cannot have a dog over, even for a short period, for fear of recriminations or losing their home. Such discrimination must now end.”
But there are some fears that landlords would charge extra for it.
A landlord, Fred Cowler, stated to The Mirror: “If it does become law, I’d want guarantees that damage and extra costs would and could be covered by the tenant.”
The next reading for the bill is planned for January 29, 2021, and there’s growing support for the proposal. Similar laws have already been passed in Belgium, France, Switzerland, and Germany.
This is similar to the lady who insisted on a dog despite a severe allergy in the house.
Landlords are not exactly cheering, though.
People have different opinions on this matter:
Wait until you see the roommate who got a $20/day fine for keeping a dog. Read the details.
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