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With the introduction of the "Tenant Reform Act" in the UK, the landlord community has expressed significant concerns about a provision in the act that allows tenants to keep pets. This measure is intended to prevent landlords from unreasonably denying tenants' requests to have pets, although the act stipulates that tenants are responsible for compensating any damages caused by their pets. Many landlords still feel uneasy about this change.

According to a recent study by the property management company Leaders Romans Group (LRG), over half of the landlords (56%) anticipate that allowing tenants to have pets in rental properties will have a negative impact. In contrast, only 9.81% of landlords believe this will have a positive effect. These figures reveal widespread concerns among landlords about future rental relationships and property maintenance.

Kim Lidbury, Head of Property Management at LRG, explains that introducing a pet-friendly policy is a complex issue that needs to balance the protection of landlords' interests with tenants' living needs. "Not all properties are suitable for pets, especially those apartments or homes without gardens," Lidbury adds. The recently revised draft legislation includes a new provision requiring tenants to purchase insurance to cover potential damage caused by pets or to reimburse landlords for the reasonable cost of purchasing such insurance. This measure is seen as a positive development that helps balance the interests of tenants and landlords.

Despite this, landlords' concerns about the policy change have not been completely alleviated. They worry about potential increases in property maintenance costs, conflicts between tenants, and negative impacts on the long-term management of buildings. Landlords shared their specific concerns in the survey:

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- Keeping dogs in apartments without proper outdoor spaces could lead to continuous barking, disrupting the daily lives of neighbors.

- Pets could cause damage both inside and outside, such as digging up gardens or scratching furniture, increasing landlords' repair costs.

- The behavior of pets might affect community harmony, for example, constant barking and potential aggressive behavior could cause disputes among neighbors.

Additionally, landlords expressed concerns about the details of policy implementation. They call for more guidance and support from the government as these changes are implemented to ensure that the pet policy is appropriately enforced in different types of residences.

LRG states that they are committed to working with landlords and tenants to promote a fairer and more sustainable rental market through community insights and feedback. This includes organizing workshops, providing legal advice, and gathering opinions from all parties through platforms to support balanced policy implementation.

The company also emphasized the importance of attention to policy details, especially on how to effectively implement pet-friendly policies without compromising landlords' interests. As the details of the act are clarified, the landlord community looks forward to further dialogue with the government and relevant agencies to ensure that the new policies protect tenants' rights while also safeguarding the interests of landlords.