The Welsh government has announced that it will not require landlords and letting agents to automatically accept tenants with pets by making it a legal default in occupation contracts, which are the equivalent of tenancy agreements in Wales.
Finance Minister Rebecca Evans addressed this issue during a debate in the Senedd focused on pets and the private rented sector. She was urged by Labour member Carolyn Thomas, along with members from the Conservative and Plaid Cymru parties, to make it easier for tenants with pets to find suitable homes.
Thomas highlighted the significant mental health impacts on both pets and their owners when forced to separate, calling it “totally unnecessary.” She cited evidence from the Local Government and Housing Committee, which found that pet owners often make excellent tenants, staying longer in rental accommodations and causing minimal pet-related damage to properties.
“Making pets the legal default in tenancy agreements would allow more renters to keep or adopt animals and enjoy the many benefits pets provide,” Thomas argued.
However, Evans acknowledged the challenges pet owners face in finding rental properties but did not support mandatory contractual terms. She emphasized that under the Renting Homes (Wales) Act 2016, landlords and tenants can agree on additional terms regarding pets.
The Welsh government has provided guidance stating that any pet clause should allow tenants to request permission to keep a pet, and landlords should not unreasonably refuse such requests. Evans also endorsed an RSPCA ‘best practice’ guide aimed at reducing the “stigma and fear” some landlords have about allowing pets.
“While landlords may have valid reasons for not allowing pets, compromises can often be reached,” Evans noted. These might include requiring tenants to pay for professional cleaning at the end of their tenancy or a slightly higher deposit to cover potential damages.
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