In 2020, Andrew Rosindell M.P. introduced to Parliament legislation that would place strict limits on the ability of landlords to include “no pets” policies in rented accommodation.
As part of a 10 Minute Rule Bill, a type of Private Members’ Bill, the former Shadow Minister for Animal Welfare and Member of Parliament for Romford shun light on the frequently unjust way in which renters are forced to give up their beloved pets in order to move into new accommodation.
The legislation was called “Jasmine’s Law”, named after a dog which was separated from its owner, Jordan Adams, because of restrictions like these. He also highlighted the tragic case of John Chadwick, a homeless man who ended his life after the only housing option his local council provided him with was one which meant separating from his beloved pets.
The legislation, backed by animal rights and animal welfare organisations, including the RSPCA and Battersea Dogs & Cats Home, would prevent landlords from banning “responsible owners” from bringing pets into rented accommodation. Also, his speech and proposals were covered in: London Playbook, Havering Daily, Big Issue, TalkRadio, Lad Bible, Mirror, Yahoo, MSN, Dogs Today Magazine and Pets Mag
Jasmine's Law unfortunately did not pass, as the end of the 2020-21 parliamentary session happened before the Bill could receive its Second Reading.
Commenting when the 10 Minute Rule bill was introduced to Parliament, Andrew Rosindell M.P. said:
“I’m delighted to have secured this slot to speak about an issue deeply important to me. As a dog owner for twenty five years, I understand as well as anyone the connection a person can have with their pet and for too long I have heard tragic stories of pet owners separated from their pets because of blanket bans that landlords implement.
It is a huge opportunity to increase awareness of this issue and to pressure the government to make changes that they promised earlier this year. In January the Housing Secretary Robert Jenrick rightly called on landlords to make it easier for responsible tenants to have well behaved pets in their homes, but as of yet this hasn’t been followed by any legislation.”
However, much of Jasmine's Law's contents have been incorporated into the Renter's Reform Bill, which includes a provision that landlords will be legally required to consider a request for a pet, and cannot, under this new legislation, 'reasonably refuse'.
So, while Jasmine's Law did not pass, the Government is passing legislation which gives tenants the right to keep their pets if the landlord agrees, and the landlord is obliged not to "unreasonably refuse" permission to tenants.
the exact wording of the proposed bill, before amendments, can be found in Section 7 of the draft.
This bill is currently in its report stage, but you can check for updates here and a full copy of the proposed bill is attached.
I am hopeful, that with continuous campaigning and work on this matter, blanket 'No Pet' clauses will soon be outlawed from all tenancy agreements.
