No Letting Go advises landlords on pet ownership

No Letting Go has provided some guidance to help landlords keep their properties in tip-top condition.

As momentum builds for landlords to start allowing tenants to keep cats, dogs and other pets inside rental properties, estate agency franchises are preparing for changes in the industry. The Dogs and Domestic Animals Accommodation Protection Bill, which should give people the right to keep domestic animals in rental homes, is soon to have a second reading in Parliament.

In response, industry inventory supplier No Letting Go has highlighted a few issues for landlords to look out for if they want to spot early signs of pet damage. The franchise suggested property owners check for claw marks on doors, fraying carpets at the bottom of stairs and fitted cat flaps. Landlords should also look out for hairs on the back of curtains and blinds, as well as pet urine in the carpet, which can damage floor underlay if left untreated.

Nick Lyonds, the franchise’s founder and Chief Executive, said,

"Agents and landlords need to have the measures in place to deal with the increased risk of property damage.

"If managed effectively, allowing tenants to keep pets can encourage longer tenancies, increase demand for available properties and pave the way for higher average rents. However, if pet tenancies are mishandled, landlords may have to foot the bill for thousands of pounds of repairs, while agents’ chances of retaining management of a property could be jeopardised."

Nick recommends landlords also prepare for the new rules by making sure they have the right insurance, creating a detailed inventory and getting ready to monitor damage with regular inspections.

The founder and Chief Executive added,

"There is no option to charge higher deposits for tenants with pets due to the Tenant Fees Act, so having a range of additional protective measures and procedures in place is absolutely vital to protect rental properties in the event that a tenant has pets.”