How To Be A Pet-Friendly Landlord

Posted on: 27 September 2023

How to Be a Pet-Friendly Landlord

If you’re a landlord looking to attract long-term tenants, it’s worth thinking about ways to make your investment property as appealing as possible.

 

And one area you may have overlooked is the army of British pet owners who need a rental property, and want to make their furry friends as comfy as possible.

 

Unfortunately, over the years, many landlords have been known to refuse pet owners, perhaps due to worries about damage or general unsuitability for a property.

 

Many pet owners tend to stay put in a rental as it can be difficult to find somewhere suitable. This is a huge plus for busy landlords, reducing the workload of finding new tenants and starting all over again every 12 months.

 

And with rental reforms on the horizon, now is the time to consider opening your rental investment to responsible pet owners.

 

In this quick read, we look at ways to make your rental property pet-friendly and attract loyal, responsible pet lovers.

 

Worried about damage?

 

Most pet owners will go the extra mile to make sure their animal doesn’t cause damage, but if it’s something you’re really concerned about, you could add a pet clause into your tenancy agreement. This could state that any damage caused by the pet is the tenant’s responsibility and that the property must be thoroughly cleaned at the end of a tenancy period. Speak to your agent to discuss the details of your tenancy agreement.

 

Flooring

 

If you’re having an investment property redecorated or renovated, plan ahead and minimise the potential for damage. Instead of carpets, consider laminate, wood or tiled flooring. These options are easier to keep clean and won’t trap pet hairs or odours.

 

Furnishings

 

If you’re offering tenants a furnished property, avoid light-coloured sofas and chairs to reduce the chance of stains. Consider wipeable fabrics such as leather to make sure furnishings can be kept clean. The same applies to curtains or blinds, as muddy paws and light fabrics definitely don’t mix!

 

Secure the garden

 

If your property offers outside space, make this a pet haven by securing the fences and/or gate so they can’t get out. Also, remove any plants that could be hazardous to cats and dogs. For a full list of plants and flowers that could cause problems, click here.

 

Insurance

 

You can further pet-proof your rental property by taking out landlord insurance. Make sure you check if the policy includes accidental pet damage as not all do.

 

If you want to make your rental property pet-friendly, speak to the lettings team at Greyfox to find out what tenants are looking for.

Share:


Recent Articles

30 June 2025

How To Revive A Stale Listing: Tips For Medway Sellers

Is your home taking longer to sell than you'd like? It's possible that your listing has gone stale. Here are some ideas for reviving a stale property listing.   Give your home a lift   Chances are that when you first listed your property you kept everything spick...

23 June 2025

Important News About Energy Performance Certificates

New rules on preparing Energy Performance Certificates, or EPCs, have just come into operation. Here's what you need to know about EPCs going forward.   What is an EPC?   An EPC is an Energy Performance Certificate.   EPCs show you how energy efficient...

16 June 2025

Your Mortgage Interest Rate - How Is It Set?

The Bank of England will announce its latest decision on interest rates later this week. But have you ever wondered who decides what your mortgage interest rate will be? Here we'll explain how it all works.   The Bank Rate vs the mortgage rate   The first...

Get an instant online valuation

Find out how much your property is worth