New renters rights law to keep loving families and their pets together

0

The RSPCA has labelled today (22 October) a “great day for pets” as a new law giving renters in England the right to have a pet completed its final hurdles through both Houses of Parliament.

Landlords can presently impose blanket bans on the keeping of pets in private rental properties – without providing a justifiable reason.

But that will soon change thanks to the Renters’ Rights Bill – which is now just awaiting Royal Assent before formally becoming law.

The passage of the law comes as the RSPCA’s month-long Adoptober rehoming drive continues – highlighting the large volume of rescue pets currently searching for a forever home.

Yet blanket bans on pets prevent many prospective owners from adding pets to their family each year; and can also leave existing owners facing the potentially heartbreaking prospect of having to give up an animal to access somewhere to live.

The last UK Government published model tenancy agreements that encouraged allowing pets to be the default position in England’s rented sector – but they were not legally binding. Follow-up plans to legislate fell by the wayside when Parliament was dissolved before last July’s UK General Election.

However, the new UK Government’s renters legislation completed its journey through both Houses of Parliament today. The law will give tenants a legal right to request keeping a pet; and such requests cannot be unreasonably refused by landlords.

The RSPCA believes the change could “revolutionise” pet rehoming in England – at a time when many of its rescue centres are “full to bursting”.

Last year the RSPCA found new homes for almost 70 animals a day, or three every hour – a total of 26,294 across the year. But animals have been coming into the charity’s care at a quicker rate than they are being rehomed.

Harriet Main, RSPCA Public Affairs Manager, said: “This is a great day for pets, and has the chance to revolutionise rehoming for the RSPCA and many other animal welfare organisations.

“For so long, too many potentially loving pet owners in England’s private rented sector have been denied the chance to own a pet without justifiable reason.

“That will now change – which is great news for people looking to add a pet to the family; and could potentially help thousands of rescue pets in full to bursting animal centres find a forever home of their own”.

Harriet added: “Pet ownership is really rewarding – so having an animal will undoubtedly help facilitate happier, healthier tenants right across the country.

“And for this to happen during our Adoptober rehoming drive, really highlights how this is an historic day for pets in England.”

The urgent need to find pets for rescue pets is underlined by data showing that this summer, the RSPCA had the highest number of dogs in their care ever – at 1,646. That was more than double the number five years ago, when the charity was caring for 732.

More than half of the dogs in RSPCA care are in emergency boarding kennels because centres are full (315 in centres, 770 in private boarding, 480 case animals in branches, 33 foster carers, 48 in vets).

On average it takes 41 days for a dog to find a new home – but big dogs like Luna can wait seven times longer than smaller breeds to find homes*.

Luna has been in the care of the RSPCA Sussex West Branch for nearly 250 days after her previous owner’s circumstances changed – but sadly has not had a single application yet. She is an active and bright girl, who is looking for an owner who can appreciate her quirky and funny character.

Harriet added: “This new law means more people will have the chance to adopt amazing dogs like Luna. We cannot wait to open the doors of our centres to more prospective adopters”

Luna loves journeys in the car, and is always keen to venture out – but is equally happy with home comforts. She is also looking for an adult-only home or one with older children – and knows lots of commands.

She has been fostered from the Mount Noddy Animal Centre in Chichester – and more information on rehoming her from the Sussex West Branch is available on the charity’s Find a Pet website.