The pandemic has created an unprecedented demand for housing. In an era when people were isolated from family and friends, job losses and relationship breakdowns people took to animals to help them through these times. Yet still tenants are faced with either landlords or freeholders refusing pets. Or in some cases allowing pets for leaseholders but refusing for tenants this discrimination needs to stop. it’s creating a situation of mental anguish for people and seeing pets having to be rehomed needlessly. 

There is a huge bias against both leaseholders and tenants and the situation that pets are assumed to cause noise and spoil other people’s enjoyment and peace is false. 

Here is an example from the freeholder of the flat I rent. My ex husband decided he could no longer care for our dog, I went through the official channels despite being given permission from the landlord and tenants association and knowing other dogs reside in the block I got this response from the Freeholder Bankside Real Estate. 

“The freeholder refused it on the basis of ensuring quiet enjoyment for the other residents” 

Unfortunately the refusal is his prerogative.

This should not be allowed it’s discrimination and also assuming the dog is a problem before their being a problem. 

The housing market is becoming ever more challenging we cannot let these matters slide we need to defend our rights to have a peaceful enjoyment of our homes either as leaseholders or tenants. 

I call for the law and rules to change leaseholders and freeholders should allow pets.