Your Winged Bull broJun 30, 2021
A question to estate agents/property lawyers on my feed;
Apparently there's now a rule in the UK that landlords have to present "a good reason" in writing for any pet ban. When I browsed to find what would be considered a good reason, I found that "Size of property" and "Other flats in the block" are considered good reasons. So my question is... What is the point of this law? Sounds like any bullshit reason would do. Is this process a discussion? Am I missing something?
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/new-standard-tenancy-agreement-to-help-renters-with-well-behaved-pets
New standard tenancy agreement to help renters with well behaved pets

Responsible tenants in England with well-behaved pets will be able to secure leases more easily through a new standard tenancy agreement.

Show threadShadeJul 1, 2021

@HisNameIsOx Hmmm! I’m not sure I agree with either of those being ‘BS reasons’ though. The size of a property is a significant factor; especially for animal welfare considerations - but would only be justification for disallowing larger animals like cats and dogs. It would be hard for them to use that as justification for disallowing a hamster or a shrew.

Equally, regarding the neighbour situation - this should only be relevant to pets that might cause noise - otherwise it shouldn’t matter.

Show threadYour Winged Bull broJul 1, 2021
@Shade I agree with you that these are factors that need considering, but they're also factors that are very easy to abuse - and so, if all the landlord needs to do is to write a letter which no one would then check or look at then this new law is pointless. Hence me asking whether it's a discussion.
I made a search yesterday for what I'm after and got about 250 potential flats in London. When I turned the "pets ok" filter on I got 0. Some of them don't like like anybody cared for the flat.
Show threadShadeJul 2, 2021

@HisNameIsOx Aight! I'm just taken a more detailed look, as I was interested in understanding what, if any, legal remedy was available.

On investigation, all is not as it might seem at first glance. It is not a rule, and it is not a law.

The Model Tenancy Agreement is only guidance. Essentially it is a template tenancy agreement that landlords can choose to use, or not. I suspect in reality that a vast number of landlords have their own custom contracts.

Show threadShadeJul 2, 2021

@HisNameIsOx
However - a private member’s bill currently before Parliament may change the current situation.

The Dogs and Domestic Animals (Accommodation and Protection) Bill is due for a second reading (although there is currently no date set for this).

The bill proposes tenants must pass a responsible owner test before moving in to a rented home.

You can keep track of the bill and read the content here: https://bills.parliament.uk/bills/2791

Dogs and Domestic Animals (Accommodation and Protection) Bill - Parliamentary Bills - UK Parliament

Current version of Dogs and Domestic Animals (Accommodation and Protection) Bill with latest news, sponsors, and progress through Houses

Show threadYour Winged Bull broJul 2, 2021
@Shade Yeah, you're right, I wasn't accurate. That law suggestion seems more fair, but I think the issue on which we disagree here is our faith in the will and ability of a law to actually do something that wouldn't allow the richer party to keep taking advantage.
Knowing you a little I would guess you'd have faith - I come from zero-hour contracts, abusive landlords, and all the "riches" someone at the bottom sees. I can see landlords just signing thier property as exempt with no one checking.
Show threadShade

@HisNameIsOx Oh! I don’t disagree with you at all! I was just trying to make sure you had the correct info. Agree with your sentiment entirely though - there is still much to do in this country to make the position between landlords and tenants equitable.

A great many landlords have been known to act in bad faith on any number of issues. I see slow improvements, but there is a long way to go.

Jul 2, 2021 at 8:40amWeb