Pressure on for pet-friendly lets as Build To Rent operators cash in

Pressure appears to be building for more pet-friendly lettings properties with two Build To Rent operators promoting animal-friendly tenancies.

BTR operator Fizzy Living calls itself ‘London’s most pet-friendly landlord’ and says 30 per cent of its tenants own at least one pet. 

The company’s apartment blocks feature ‘pet stations’ stocked with bags, paw wipes and treats, and staff are encouraged to bring their pets to work on designated days.

”One in three enquiries we receive are from pet owners and, certainly over recent months, animals have been lifelines for so many. Owning pets is proven to provide so many benefits to both physical and mental health, and we don’t see why living in rented accommodation should be an obstacle to that” says Harry Downes, Fizzy Living’s managing director. 

Likewise rival BTR operator Get Living operates two London developments and one in Manchester. 

The company says it’s welcomed the surge in demand for pet-friendly rental properties, with director Ian Gibbs saying: “Looking at new enquiries received during and post-lockdown, being pet-friendly has certainly climbed the list of customers’ priorities - in addition to outdoor space and reliable WiFi. 

“Across our three neighbourhoods, we’re finding 15 to 20 oper cent of potential customers mention pets specifically as part of their requirements. Since June 1 our New Maker Yards site in Manchester received 80-plus enquiries on pets alone.”

Meanwhile separate research by the Dogs Trust claims online search queries for ‘Pet friendly rentals’, ‘Pet friendly apartments’ and ‘Pet friendly’ have all increased dramatically since lockdown ended, according to Google Trends. 

The trust says 78 per cent of pet owners experienced difficulties finding a pet-friendly rental property, and pet owners can take up to seven times longer to rent a home compared with non-pet-owners.