Landlords to Foot Bill for Pet Damage Under New Renters’ Rights Amendment
The UK government’s eleventh-hour amendment to the Renters’ Rights Bill has left landlords shouldering the financial burden of pet damage, reversing an earlier proposal that would have allowed landlords to require tenants to have insurance covering such damages. This change, announced just before the Bill’s return to the House of Lords for the Report stage, has sparked concerns among landlord representatives.
Under the new amendment, landlords will still be expected to accept tenants with pets unless there’s a valid reason to refuse. However, the removal of the insurance requirement has landlords worried about potential financial losses. Ben Beadle, NRLA chief executive, criticized the move, calling it ‘shoddy and outrageous.’ He argued that the government is placing undue risks on responsible landlords without proper consultation.
The late change has also raised concerns that it could make it even harder for tenants with pets to find homes as landlords become more risk-averse. The Housing Secretary had previously argued that enabling landlords to request insurance would prevent anyone from being unfairly out of pocket. Now, the courts and the planned Ombudsman for the private rented sector will have to navigate these matters.
Additional Amendments to the Renters’ Rights Bill
Alongside the changes to pet liability, the government has proposed other significant amendments:
- Potential Changes to Rent Appeals and Backdating: The Bill currently allows tenants to appeal rent increases without a fee, which could overwhelm the Tribunal system. The government has proposed powers to backdate rent increases to the date in the landlord’s notice if the Tribunal becomes overloaded. However, clarity is needed on when and how this power would be used.
- Changes to Rules on Rent in Advance and Rental Periods: An amendment confirms that existing tenancies won’t be affected by the ban on taking rent in advance. Landlords will still be allowed to request rent upfront for these tenancies. However, once the Bill is implemented, all periodic assured tenancies will be treated as having monthly rental periods, affecting when tenants can end their tenancy and potentially requiring landlords to refund overpaid rent.
These changes highlight the ongoing evolution of the Renters’ Rights Bill and the complexities surrounding rental regulations. As the Bill progresses, stakeholders continue to scrutinize its implications for both landlords and tenants.
