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Written question asked by Andrew Rosindell (Conservative) on Friday, 3 September 2021, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 7 September 2021. It was answered by Eddie Hughes (Conservative) on Monday, 13 September 2021 on behalf of the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government.

Tenants: Pets

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, if he will issue guidance on whether a landlord could require a relevant person to enter into a contract of pet insurance as an alternative to complying with a no pets clause in a tenancy agreement.

Answer

The Tenant Fees Act prohibits most fees beyond rent and a deposit capped at 5 weeks rent where total annual rent is less than £50,000. As such, a landlord cannot require that a tenant take out insurance for a pet.

Regarding pet ownership, the Government recommends the deposit cap is used as a maximum, rather than the default. Charging a deposit of four weeks rent provides leeway to expand to five weeks in situations such as where the tenant owns a pet. This approach should therefore accommodate private renters who wish to keep pets, without the need for pet insurance, or a separate pet deposit.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
41733
Session
2021-22
Subjects
Insurance Pets Tenants
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk