The Southend West MP attended the Department of Levelling Up, Housing and Communities on Monday the 27th of March 2023, to question the Secretary of State and his ministers on the rights of tenants keeping pets in privately rented property and indication that this will be considered in the Renters Reform Bill.
For most, pets bring both mental and physical aid and during the Covid-19 pandemic we as a country leant considerably on our pets for support when some of us were alone during those periods. Therefore, the support that these animals can provide is unparalleled and Anna Firth assures her constituents and national stakeholders that she is dedicated to ensuring that this concern will be confronted and crushed.
Questions likened to this concern have been brought forward by Southend-West constituents who share concerns over landlord refusal to keep pets in privately rented properties. The Right Honourable Rachael Maclean, Minister of State for the DLUHC assured Anna Firth that this issue will be resolved, and landlords will be able to acquire the relevant insurance to limit damage concerns.
Anna said,
‘Next month is National Pet month, but sadly I have been contacted by a number of constituents renting in the private sector who have been refused pets, will my RH Friend confirm if he is still committed to enshrining the right for tenants to request a pet and for such a request not to be unreasonably refused in. the Renters Reform Bill?’
Rachael Maclean, Minister said,
‘As a dog lover myself, she is absolutely right to highlight this issue, pets can bring joy and happiness and comfort, that’s why the Government will prevent landlords unreasonably refusing a tenant’s request to have a pet, will give landlords more confidence by allowing them to acquire insurance allowing them to cover pet damage’.
