Are You a Pet-Friendly Landlord?

At my letting agency business in Falmouth we are proud members of the Lets with Pets Scheme run by the charity Dogs Trust, a scheme supported by the National Approved Letting Scheme.

Instinctively, most Landlords would prefer not to rent their property to tenants with pets. Almost immediately concerns are raised around issues such as the noise of a barking dog, furniture being scratched by sharp claws on a cat and the occasional ‘accident’ ruining carpets. This can make it very difficult for pet owners to find a suitable home.

However, nowadays roughly 48% of the population have a pet, so taking a more pet-friendly approach can dramatically increase demand for your property!

Our experience is also that people with pets tend to be looking for homes for the longer term. Anyone who’s ever moved house with a cat can tell you how traumatic it can be, so it’s not something to do on a regular basis.

Obviously concerns will still exist but these can be mitigated by asking for a larger deposit, inserting additional clauses in the Tenancy Agreement and agreeing that the tenant will carry out a full professional clean at the end of the tenancy. Also, you can ask key questions up front such as whether a cat will need a litter tray or cat flap, and how long a dog will be left at home alone.

With 20% of homes in our area being privately let, opening up your property to pet owners could give it the edge!

If you're a Landlord considering whether to open up your property to those with pets, or you're a tenant finding it impossible to find a property with your pet in tow, please give us a call to discuss your situation.

The Lets with Pets scheme also has lots of helpful advice and guidance for landlords and tenants available on their website Lets with Pets

Don't neglect your rental property over Christmas & New Year!

You can never fully switch off from your responsibilities as a landlord, whether that be taking on new tenants, completing deposit disputes or making sure your property is kept in good condition over the festive period. There are a couple of things you can do to make sure your properties are in order, ensuring the safety of your tenants and hopefully a stress-free Christmas and New Year for you.

Are your tenants leaving the property over Christmas & New Year?

The deposit protection schemes received a lot of claims following the severe winter weather in 2010. The majority were the result of burst or frozen pipes at student houses where tenants had left the property to spend Christmas with their families.

In the worst cases, burst pipes resulted in damage to carpets and flooring, kitchen appliances needing replacing and claims for lost rent whilst damage was repaired. Some landlords faced repair bills of several thousand pounds.

To avoid this stress and expense, you should contact your tenants to check if they’re going away to ensure that the proper measures are taken to avoid this kind of damage.

Here is some guidance on keeping your property safe during cold spells:

1.  Insulation – Ensure water pipes and tanks are lagged and insulated.

2.  Heating – Advise tenants to keep the heating on, at a minimum of 15 degrees, if they’re going away. It’s also sensible to open the loft hatch allowing air to circulate and prevent pipes freezing and bursting in the loft.

3.  Boiler servicing – Ensure that gas and oil boilers are serviced every 12 months.

4.  If the property is going to be empty for an extended period it’s sensible to have the heating/water system drained by a qualified contractor.

5.  Chimneys – Ensure they are swept once a year by a professional chimney sweep, ideally before the tenant starts using the fire.

6.  Smoke Alarms – Check that smoke alarms are fitted in all properties and that they are all working properly. Replace batteries as necessary.