Pets, property & disputes: What letting agents need to know

With more than half of UK adults now owning a pet, and fewer than 10% of rental properties currently advertised as pet-friendly, the issue of pets in rented homes has become a growing challenge for the private rented sector.

As the Renters’ Rights Act reshapes the rules governing tenants' requests to keep pets, letting agents are increasingly being called upon to help landlords balance tenant demand with property protection and risk management.

Sandy Bastin, Director of Resolution at TDS, will explore the realities of managing pets in rented properties, with a focus on dispute prevention, insurance considerations and the practical implications of the new 28-day rule introduced under the RRA.

Through real-life case studies and sector dispute statistics, Sandy will examine the most common issues arising in pet-friendly lets, why disputes occur, and what agents can do to better support landlords and tenants throughout the tenancy lifecycle.

This session will provide practical guidance and industry insight to help agents navigate legislative change, manage expectations and reduce the risk of costly end-of-tenancy disputes in an increasingly pet-friendly rental market.