Landlords will be left covering the cost of damage caused by tenants’ pets under new changes to the Government’s Renters’ Rights Bill, as ministers prepare to scrap provisions that would have allowed property owners to require tenants to take out pet damage insurance.
In a surprise move ahead of the Bill’s Report Stage in the House of Lords next week, the Government has tabled amendments reversing earlier plans that would have enabled landlords to insist tenants with pets were insured against potential property damage.
Despite Housing Secretary Angela Rayner previously promising that pet insurance requirements would ensure “no one is left unfairly out of pocket,” the revised proposal will shift full financial responsibility onto landlords.
The legislation will still presume that landlords should accept tenants with pets unless there is a strong reason not to, with disputes set to be settled by the courts or the forthcoming private rented sector Ombudsman. However, critics warn that landlords—now unable to legally require pet-related insurance—face increased financial risk.
The National Residential Landlords Association (NRLA) has condemned the changes, warning they will reduce access to housing for pet owners and create additional burdens for responsible landlords.
Ben Beadle, Chief Executive of the NRLA, called the Government’s approach “shoddy and outrageous,” accusing ministers of bypassing meaningful consultation.
“Yet again the Government simply expects responsible landlords to shoulder even greater risks without any consideration of the impact,” said Beadle. “While ministers claim they are supporting tenants, in reality, it’s renters who will suffer as landlords become more risk averse.”
The amendments also follow other contentious elements of the Bill, including concerns about rising rent arrears, delays in the court system, and limited options for assessing tenants’ financial reliability.
As the legislation moves through Parliament, the debate over balancing tenant protections with landlord security is only set to intensify.