NOAH (the National Office of Animal Health) has welcomed and endorsed the new ‘Heads for Tails!’ report published by co-founder of AdvoCATS, Jen Berazi.
The report – endorsed by more than 30 charities, landlord groups, housing associations and more – outlines key policy recommendations that the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government could take forward to make it easier for tenants to rent with pets in the UK.
Renting with pets can be a significant challenge in the UK, with only around 7% of properties advertised online as pet-friendly, according to MHCLG data. NOAH launched its own campaign – ‘Securing the Right to Rent with Pets’ – earlier this year, promoting the extensive benefits of pet ownership for human mental and physical health, whilst demonstrating the significant impact that long-term pet ownership has for pets and their health and welfare.
RESEARCH
The main policy recommendation within the ‘Heads for Tails!’ report is to amend the Tenant Fees Act (2019) to include pet deposits and/or pet insurance in the list of permitted payments. Since its introduction in 2019, landlords and property owners have been unable to require these payments and have, therefore, lost a form of security if they were to allow pets in their properties. As a result of the Tenant Fees Act, one in five landlords who previously allowed pets, no longer do.
Research by AdvoCATS in the report demonstrates that 75% of landlords support the provision of pet insurance to protect property, while more than half of pet owners would be willing to take out pet insurance if required to by a landlord. Forty per cent of pet owners noted their preference for a pet deposit scheme over pet insurance – highlighting the importance of having both options.
Dawn Howard, NOAH’s CEO, said: “NOAH believes that improving the ability to share our lives with companion animals benefits both people and animals – not only are the health and wellbeing benefits of keeping pets significant for us, but widening access to pet ownership also means fewer animals are left without homes and are able to live happy, healthy lives with their human companions.”
