Thank you to everyone who has contacted me about the ability of those who rent their home to have pets.
Pets are wonderful companions, and keeping them provides a host of benefits, not only for owners but for society. There is no doubt that pets can help to relieve loneliness, boost physical activity, decrease stress and anxiety, and bring real comfort and joy to young children. I welcome the Government’s announcement of the Renters’ Rights Bill as part of the King’s Speech 2024, which will give tenants the right to request to keep a pet, which landlords cannot unreasonably refuse. In addition, the legislation will give landlords the ability to request insurance to cover potential damage from pets if needed.
I believe that security means having a secure roof over your head. For this reason, I am pleased that the Bill will also give renters much greater security and stability so they can stay in their homes for longer, build lives in their communities, and avoid the risk of homelessness.
More widely, I look forward to seeing the development of plans to deliver the biggest increase in social and affordable housebuilding in a generation. The only real way to make renting more affordable is to build more homes, therefore, I support plans to build 1.5 million homes over five years, as an antidote to Britain’s failing private rented sector.
Thank you once again to all those who have contacted me about this issue.