Scottish Parliament passes bill protecting tenants with pets

The Housing (Scotland) Bill, which includes important provisions that allow tenants to request to keep pets without being unreasonably refused by landlords, has been passed by the Scottish Parliament.

Under the new rules, landlords will be required to respond in writing within 30 days to any tenant request to keep a pet. If a request is refused, tenants will have the right to appeal to the First-tier Tribunal.

It is not yet clear what will constitute a reasonable refusal, or what kind of conditions landlords will be able to impose, such as limits on the number or type of pets that can be kept in a property.

In response, Holly Conway, Head of Public Affairs for The Kennel Club, said: “We are delighted that the Housing (Scotland) Bill has passed, which will ensure landlords cannot impose blanket bans on pets without just cause.

“Dogs, and other pets, can have such a positive impact on people’s lives, particularly with their physical and mental wellbeing, and this legislation will help reduce barriers for tenants who want to keep a pet.”

Director of Strategic Communications & Partnership Engagement at Scottish SPCA, Gilly Mendes Ferreira, said: “Today is a huge step forward. No one in Scotland should have to choose between keeping a roof over their head or keeping the pet they love, and this Bill helps make sure they don’t have to. Pets transform lives. They bring companionship, structure and joy, and for children in particular they can be a best friend and a source of comfort.

“When people are forced to give up their animals, those pets are torn from everything they know and often placed in a rescue centre. However dedicated our teams are, a centre is noisy and unfamiliar. It can never compare to being at home with the people, routines and comforts animals love and thrive on. This Bill recognises pets as family and sets a standard for housing policy that is fairer, kinder and better for Scotland’s animal lovers.”