Dr. Sandra McCune writes for the Society for Companion Animal Studies (SCAS)

The Hidden Anguish of Tenants Forced to Choose Between Housing and Keeping Their Pets

The pain and suffering of those forced to choose between a roof over their heads and their cherished pets is immense but often goes unnoticed.

Many rental properties enforce pet bans, resulting in profound emotional turmoil and distress for individuals, families and their animal companions.

This silent crisis runs deep, affecting countless lives in a nation proud of its high standards of animal welfare.

SCAS remains extremely concerned by the current situation in the UK wherein there is an increased demand for rental accommodation and a lack of properties that permit pets.

Pets in housing bans are now the second most common reason for pet relinquishment to shelters in the UK. 

The Tenant Fees Act 2019, which removed landlords' rights to request pet deposits, has inadvertently worsened this issue, leading to more landlords imposing pet bans.

SCAS's Tireless Advocacy for Positive Pets in Housing Regulations

Since its inception in 1979, SCAS has been a steadfast advocate for positive pets in housing regulations, conducting conferences and workshops throughout Great Britain, and presenting at international forums.

The harms inflicted on people forced to choose between their homes and their cherished pets are severe and heartbreaking.

Dr. Elizabeth Ormerod, SCAS Chair, reports that in over 40 years of veterinary practice, the most distressing cases she encountered involved people being compelled by landlords to give up their pets or face eviction.

These individuals suffered chest and abdominal pains, retching, vomiting, uncontrollable shaking and an inability to eat or sleep.

Those who relinquished their pets experienced deep, unresolved grief, unsure of their beloved companion's fate.

Some chose homelessness over separation from their pets, entering a cruel cycle where having a pet meant exclusion from most homeless shelters.

Others, tragically, were driven to suicide, like John Chadwick.

SCAS is proud to have supported John’s friend, Dee Bonett, as she worked with Maidstone Borough Council to develop The John Chadwick Pet Policy which ensures that those with pets who have become homeless are supported in emergency accommodation until suitable permanent accommodation can be found - for both the homeless person and their pet.

What Can Be Done?

The Need for Understanding

SCAS commissioned YouGov research in 2021 which revealed that the majority of pet owners favour the reintroduction of pet deposits (40%) or the option for landlords to require pet damage insurance (22%). An overwhelming 75% support positive pets in housing legislation.

This survey sheds light on the mindset of pet-owning tenants, but our understanding of the issues affecting all parties, including pets and landlords, must deepen.

Consequently, SCAS’ 2021 research funding call was focused on pets in housing, resulting in seven new studies providing new, original research to deepen understanding of the issues in Pet-Friendly Housing.

For example, these studies have provided evidence-based data, informing the efforts by University of Lincoln and Michelson Found Animals, to educate UK and US landlords about how to develop pet inclusive rental properties.

SCAS has also led scholarly works summarising research in this topic. SCAS continues to fund research in this area and currently supports research by  Mackenzie Fong at Newcastle University, which aims to enhance pet-friendly policies of homelessness accommodation services (“hostels”) and to design a future study looking at the economic costs and benefits of improving pet-policies of hostels.

Advocating for Change

Advocacy for pet-inclusive housing goes beyond convenience; it is about recognising the profound bond between humans and their pets. Legislation supporting pet deposits and damage insurance can provide a balanced solution, enabling pet owners to secure housing without compromising landlords' properties.

To achieve pet friendly housing policies has proven to be the most difficult of all SCAS endeavours.

We look to other countries and especially France with great envy - for the French Government in 1970 legislated that landlords could not operate “no pets” rules.  This legislation seems to have passed without any great difficulty, and deemed a success as the ruling was later extended to holiday lets. 

The Indian Constitution enshrined pet ownership in 1960 - landlords in India cannot in law ban pets - however, this is not usually enforced.

In 1983 in the USA, older and disabled people living in Federally Assisted Housing were given the right to keep companion animals and rights were extended to tenants in public housing in 1999.

More recently, in light of the many benefits for individuals and for society accruing from pet keeping, Canada, New Zealand, Australia and Belgium have adopted a more positive approach to a varying extent. 

As the Renters’ Rights Bill makes its way through parliament, we continue to hope for positive change. SCAS continues its relentless efforts to promote these measures through research, conferences and collaboration with stakeholders.

Pet-inclusive housing is essential for the wellbeing and mental health of individuals and families.

Addressing the challenges faced by pet owners in the rental market and advocating for policy changes can foster a more inclusive and compassionate society.

The work of organisations like SCAS and our partners is paving the way towards a future where the joy of pet companionship is accessible to all, regardless of their housing situation.

Follow SCAS on FB and X (@SCASuk), and retweet posts from us and our partners on #PetsInHousing.

SCAS is the UK's leading human-animal interaction organisation through its funding of original research, providing education, raising awareness, encouraging best practice and influencing the development of policies and practices that support the human-companion animal bond. For more details check out www.scas.org.uk