Finding pet-friendly accommodation can be a serious source of stress, but with the help of this guide and the Dogs Trust Lets with Pets scheme we want to make the process as easy as possible.
In the past, there have been some cases where owners have been left with little choice, and they have had to consider the real possibility of parting with their pets or else risk becoming homeless when they cannot find anywhere pet-friendly to live.
In fact, a 2011 Dogs Trust survey found that owners of furry friends take up to seven times longer to rent a home compared to non-pet owners, while one in three pet owners could not find a single suitable property which would accept their pet.
As a letting agency supporting pet-friendly rentals, Chancellors are proud to champion our ongoing partnership with the Dogs Trust Lets with Pets scheme. The Lets with Pets scheme was set up in 2009 in order to assist pet owners with finding rented housing. This was prompted by an increase in the number of dogs being brought into Dogs Trust centres for rehoming when their owners had been forced to give them up. The scheme has been having a positive impact ever since and has helped reduce the number of rehomed pets.
Along with the Lets with Pets scheme, here’s some practical tips and advice to help give you the best chances of securing your pet-friendly rental and making it as stress-free as possible:
Tenant Tips for Finding Pet-Friendly Rentals
1. Give yourself plenty of time to find a suitable home. Pet-friendly rentals are still relatively rare in the market so you don’t want to be left without a home if you leave it until the last minute to start looking and find that properties are either snapped up by other pet owners or don’t match your requirements.
2. Create a pet CV detailing key information for your furry friend, including emergency contacts, the address and phone number of their registered vet, the date of their last veterinary treatment/flea and worming treatments and any medical conditions.
3. Be realistic to avoid being disappointed or ending up with nowhere to live. As the amount of pet-friendly properties is still relatively limited, keep your options open regarding the area you wish to live in and the type of property you are looking for.
4. Make sure you have it written into your contract that your landlord allows pets, to protect yourself and avoid any potential disputes further down the line.
5. It couldn’t be easier to find homes which accept your pet when looking for a rental property through Chancellors. Simply look out for the words ‘pets considered’ alongside a symbol of a paw print in our online listings.
Chancellors are operating the Lets with Pets scheme throughout our network of 58 branches in London, the Home Counties, Oxfordshire, Herefordshire and Mid Wales.
To find out more about pet-friendly rentals at Chancellors or contact us on 0330 404 9550. See our guide to renting properties with Chancellors here.
