Data from Rightmove shows that demand for pet-friendly rental properties has increased by 120% compared to last summer.
The significant increase in demand for a pet-friendly rental property – measured by prospective tenants enquiring about properties via Rightmove – highlights the rise in pet ownership during the lockdown periods. The jump compares to total tenant demand rising by 13%.
The search for more outdoor space has led to demand for properties with a balcony increasing by 70%, and gardens are up by 39%.
Parking has also increased in popularity (+48%), and one of the most common requests from renters, for all bills to be included, is up by 38%.
Looking at the top ten search terms that prospective tenants use when they’re filtering properties using Rightmove’s keyword sort tool, terms related to pets are consistently ranked as the most popular:
Rightmove’s Director of Property Data Tim Bannister says:
“The rise in pet ownership during the lockdown periods has been well documented, and we’re seeing this translate to the rental market. Becoming a pet owner is a long-term commitment, so what’s really interesting to consider is the impact this could have on the rental market in the future, and it’s a signal to landlords that if they were to consider allowing a well-behaved pet then it may open them up to a bigger pool of potential tenants.”
Yet another unintended consequence of the TFA. When you could take whatever was appropriate by way of security deposit, we positively encouraged landlords to accept pets. With that now limited to 5 weeks’ worth of rent, there is no way they’re going to be persuaded. (And don’t say Deposit Free Schemes are the answer – they’re not).
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Far too many tenants do not control their pets and created this issue. I can write a book on this subject alone, why a landlord should never rent to a tenant with pets. Unfair for those that are good, but how do you tell and if you get it wrong the deposit does not cover it and if they are not working … no hope of ever getting repair cost back = why landlords keep away from pets.
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