The only vet in the House of Commons, Dr Neil Hudson MP, lent his support and expertise to new pet-friendly rental laws at a parliamentary event hosted by the UK’s leading cat and dog charities.
After years of campaigning, the Penrith and The Border MP joined Cats Protection and Dogs Trust who have both also welcomed the proposed Renters’ (Reform) Bill. According to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, renters will be given the legal right to request a pet in their home, which the landlord must consider and cannot unreasonably refuse. Landlords will also be able to require pet insurance to cover any damage to their property.
At an event at the House of Commons this week, the two charities outlined the importance of modernising the private rented sector when it comes to allowing pet ownership
Last month Dr Hudson publicly backed the once-in-a-generation Bill to reform renting as it came before Parliament. Alongside empowering pet owners, the legislation also prohibits no-fault evictions, strengthens powers to evict anti-social tenants and provides quicker and cheaper resolutions to disputes via a new ombudsman system. Read more here: www.neilhudson.org.uk/news/dr-neil-hudson-mp-backs-once-generation-renter-reforms
Dr Neil Hudson, MP for Penrith and The Border, said:
"We are a nation of animal lovers, with pets contributing greatly to our mental health and wellbeing. I was therefore very pleased to join Cats Protection and Dogs Trust to support the new Bill, which could have a hugely positive impact on the lives of people who rent their home.
"I've been pushing for rental reform to better help pet owners for some time now so on a personal level, I'm very happy the government is standing up for pets and the important role they play in our lives."
Cats Protection’s Head of Advocacy & Government Relations Madison Rogers added:
“For too long, renters have been denied the chance to own a pet cat simply because they rent rather than own their home. We hope these new proposals will finally give renters the chance to experience the comfort, joy and companionship that comes with owning a cat, along with the security of knowing they can feel settled in their rented home.
“We were pleased to join up with our friends at Dogs Trust to highlight why these new proposals are so important to millions of people. We are looking forward to continuing to work with the Government to ensure the proposals give more renters the chance to finally own a pet in way that is fair and affordable for all.”
James Hickman, Head of Outreach Projects at Dogs Trust, said:
“For years, we have helped pet owners find a home in the private rented sector, but sadly we still receive thousands of calls from desperate dog owners forced to hand them over because of issues with accommodation. We are thrilled to see such wide-spread backing for Dogs Trust and Cats Protection’s work advocating for a more pet-welcoming private rented sector and hope the new Bill will help keep pets and their owners together where they belong.”
The event comes after Dogs Trust reported a record number of enquiries from people being forced to rehome their dogs as they struggle to meet their needs as the cost of living continues to rise. Around one in ten of those owners calling Dogs Trust charity cite issues with housing as the reason for needing to rehome their dog. This includes people being forced to move or downsize as rental prices increase, but are unable to find suitable, affordable pet-friendly properties.
Meanwhile, Cats Protection says that last year it took in around 1,300 cats – the equivalent of at least three cats each day – due to landlords not allowing them in their properties, making it the eighth most-cited reason as to why cats are given up to the charity.
Both charities will continue to work with the government to ensure the details of the proposals benefit both renters and landlords in a way which is fair and reasonable.
