Pets charity seeks support of MPs for rental reform proposal

Long Eaton based AdvoCATS is continuing its campaigning to support tenants who wish to reside with their pets, and says that the majority of landlords believe a pet damage insurance-based solution is the way forward to increasing the number of pet friendly rentals.

The pets charity wants to put this subject firmly on the new Government's rental reform agenda, and will be contacting the newly appointed Minister of State, the Rt Honourable Matthew Pennycook, in the near future to seek a meeting to put its case forward. 

Co-founder Jen Berezai said: “Our campaign is not unknown to the minister, who sat on the bill select committee that I gave evidence to last November, and so we hope that he will want to meet with us.

“Meanwhile we are encouraging as many tenants as possible, who either have or want pets, animal focused organisations, animal rescue volunteers, landlords, letting agents - and, in fact, anyone concerned with renting and animal welfare - to contact their MPs to raise awareness of our campaign to introduce pet damage insurance in law for both renters and landlords so that more people can rent with pets without landlords feeling their property is at risk.”

Assorted research shows that between 66-75% of landlords would be more open to renting to pet owners with this in place, and if it were allowed in law, it would vastly increase the number of pet friendly rentals available. This amendment to the Tenant Fees Act’s List of Permitted Payments had been included as part of the previous Government’s Renters Reform Bill that failed to pass into law before the general election was called.

Those wishing to support AdvoCATS proposals can download a template letter from its website: A CALL TO ARMS! – AdvoCATSeastmids

AdvoCATS is a voluntary non-profit organisation based in Long Eaton, Derbyshire that offers free support and advice to landlords and tenants, assisting pet owners who have difficulty finding rental accommodation.