I hid my cat from my landlord — the Renters’ Rights Bill can’t come soon enough

While renting a studio flat in London, Natasha realised there was a ‘huge hole’ in her life: she was desperate for a pet.

Along with her boyfriend, the pair had spent a few weeks cat sitting for a friend, and soon realised they wanted one of their own.

‘We were considering buying somewhere together, so we decided to get a cat, with a view to then moving out,’ Natasha tells Metro.

But there was just one problem: the couple technically weren’t allowed to keep pets in their rented flat.

‘Obviously, moving and buying a property takes a while, so we ended up living in the rented accommodation with our cat for about seven months,’ she explains.

Natasha and her boyfriend were forced to spend the following months hiding the fact that they’d become pet-parents — but fast forward a few years, and if they were in the same situation today, they needn’t be so worried.

Now, as the Renters’ Rights Bill has received Royal Assent, a new horizon dawns for tenants, and it’s justice for cat mums like Natasha.

The new legislation is set to transform the private renting landscape across England, bringing in measures to put tenants and landlords on a ‘level playing field’.

Hailed as a ‘generational upgrade’ for those living in private rentals, it’s facilitating major changes for those without a mortgage, ranging from safety standards, to permission for pets.

Back when Natasha adopted her cat, she didn’t even bother asking her landlord for permission, after hearing from friends who’d had similar requests ‘flat out refused’.

‘We would have to hide our cat during flat inspections. We’d ship him off to a nearby cattery and pay for him to stay there for the day,’ she recalls.

‘It was a bit of a logistical nightmare, not to mention costly. There was always a worry in the back of our minds, too, if a neighbour mentioned hearing noises to the agency — but thankfully they never did.’

Luckily their old rented flat had no carpets and was completely unfurnished— so they weren’t worried about their feline child scratching anything.

Now, almost a decade on, Natasha doesn’t regret telling a few white lies to her landlord, describing her cat as akin to ‘a family member.’

She says: ‘He’s calming, loving, not to mention hilarious (cat zoomies are a tonic after a stressful day at work) and is such an important part of our lives.’

What does the Renters’ Rights Bill mean for tenants with pets?

The new legislation marks a ‘major step forward for pet lovers in rented homes,’ Alice Harris, legal director in the property disputes team at law firm, Birketts LLP.

She explains: ‘Tenants will have a legal right to request pet ownership, and landlords must consider each case fairly and reasonably. This change brings hope to thousands of renters who’ve long faced barriers to keeping beloved companions in rented accommodation.

‘However, tenants must still act responsibly: they’ll need to provide details about their pet, ensure the property is suitable, and cover any damage caused. The Bill strikes a balance, protecting landlords’ interests while giving renters the freedom to build a home with their pets.’

As Alice explains, consent cannot be ‘unreasonably refused’, and she says that the only valid explanations include either ‘property suitability’ or welfare concerns.

According to a study from Rover.com, more than a third (34%) of renters have been denied a property owing to a pet, while many have been hit with surcharges averaging out at a whopping £288 simply to keep them.

The research finds that 42% of tenants identified owning a pet as one of their biggest dreams, while to date, a mere 17% of wannabe pet owners actually asked their landlord for one, largely owing to a fear of rejection (49%) and worries about it impacting their impression as a tenant (21%).

As such, renters have long been resorting to extreme measures to keep their four-legged friends by their side, as 41% admitted to smuggling in animals, and one in 10 (11%) have even taken drastic measures and moved back in with their parents to avoid the hassle.

‘It feels like I’m missing out on that sense of companionship’

It’s no secret that pet ownership is proven to boost mental health, as Rover’s stats also show that 84% of respondents said that having a pet either does or would improve both their wellbeing and quality of life.

It’s one of the reasons why Beth Kernohan, 51, who has rented her ‘whole adult life’ would like an animal of her own.

‘For nearly a decade, I’ve been in a house share. I’ve dreamt of owning a dog, but it’s never really been an option,’ she says.

‘Sometimes it feels like I’m missing out on that sense of comfort and companionship that comes with having an animal around. It’s especially hard when you feel trapped in the rental market due to house prices, and don’t have a partner to combine earning power,’ she reflects.

Natasha says many places have a ‘blanket ban’ on pets. ‘When I’ve asked landlords directly, they’ve just said no, usually without much explanation other than “it’s policy,”‘ she says.

‘You feel stuck in a system full of restrictions – like not being able to have a pet – yet powerless to change your circumstances. I’m hopeful that the Renters’ Rights Bill might finally open the door for renters like me to have the chance to have my own dog.’

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